Ash content, %, no more than

4

Heat of combustion, MJ/kg, not less than

15

Volumetric (bulk) density, kg/m3, not less than

500,0

Mass fraction of crude fiber in terms of absolutely dry matter, %

from 35.0 to 60.0

Mass fraction of total sulfur, %, no more than

0,23

The amount of dust and rubble (mechanical strength), %, no more than

5

Appearance

Cylindrical granules

Aggregate state

Solid organic matter

Color

Black

Odor

Characteristic for sunflower husk without extraneous odor (must, moldy, burnt)

Pellets from sunflower husks are characterized not only by excellent indicators of heat release, but also by an acceptable price. It is used for heating, both in small residential buildings with their own boilers, and in communal boiler houses, in industry.

The raw material for the production of solid biofuel is sunflower husk – the waste of oil and fat plants. The husk is a by-product. During the production of vegetable sunflower oil, the seeds are pressed – as a result, a lot of waste remains. Approximately, 12-14% of the husk from the total weight of the seed.

Tens and hundreds of tons of waste are collected at the plants every week. Sunflower oil producers constantly experienced many problems with the disposal of husks:
• large volumes;
• low weight
• difficulties of transportation;
• ease of ignition;
• unpleasant smell.

The development of alternative energy allowed the plants to get rid of all the difficulties. Now the remains are sent to enterprises that are engaged in the production of granulated biofuel.

High rates of heat generation have made sunflower seed husks an ideal raw material for the production of solid biofuel. The most common method of production is husk granulation. In the process of forming pellets, the moisture content of the raw material is approximately 12%, and it is also compressed on a press machine (5-10 times the initial volume).
Some owners of solid fuel boilers note a relatively high level of ash in sunflower “products”. Higher than wood products. In fact, he is not that tall. The average indicator is about 3%, but sometimes it can reach 5%.

Such a discrepancy is within the norm. Since the husk is grown in different climates and on different soils. The amount of residual refractory compounds is affected by the mineral composition of the soil.
However, ash can be used as a fertilizer for gardens, homesteads and even farmland. It contains a large number of minerals and other elements that have a beneficial effect on the intensity of the growth of agricultural crops.

We will briefly note the main advantages of this type of solid fuel:
• high environmental friendliness – chemical compounds and glue are not used in the production process, so no dangerous substances are released during combustion;
• cost-effectiveness – the price of sunflower husk pellets is relatively low, this type of fuel is available to almost everyone;
• low level of biochemical activity – this simplifies the process of storage and transportation;
• flowability – it can be used in solid fuel boilers with automatic feed.

That is why they are in demand on the alternative fuel market and successfully compete with traditional sources of heat – gas, coal, firewood.