A REVIEW OF CRITICAL PARAMETERS FOR ENHANCED HIGH-QUALITY BIOMASS BRIQUETTES

Abstract

Despite the alignment of biomass briquetting with anti-climate change policies and sustainable development, the mass production of homogeneous, high-strength briquettes remain a challenge due to the interplay of feedstock factors (such as physical properties) and process conditions. This review highlights the main parameters that determine briquette quality and compiles current knowledge into a mechanistic framework to explain how each variable affects the performance of the final product. Results of the analysis show that feedstock characteristics are critical—particularly lignin content as a natural thermoplastic binder (acting as both plasticizer and lubricant) and particle size distribution, which affects packing density and potential densification. The synergy among process conditions, including compaction pressure as the main driver for particle rearrangement and temperature activating lignin's glass transition, dominates the bonding mechanisms that determine structural integrity. The review identifies major knowledge gaps, such as the need for predictive models that account for feedstock heterogeneity and the difficulty of extrapolating laboratory observations to continuous industrial processes. This review introduces a novel, molecular-level framework for biomass briquetting that goes beyond recent advances. It proposes targeted strategies to optimize briquetting parameters. Thus, this study offers a new approach to improving biomass densification—an essential pillar of sustainable bioenergy systems.