Effects of Feeding Speed and Temperature on Properties of Briquettes from Poplar Wood Using a Hydraulic Briquetting Press

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The article is devoted to the actual and promising topic of introducing wood fuel resources into the energy balance. Poplar is a fast growing tree with a high potential for short rotation energy plantations. The production of high value-added fuel (briquettes) from poplar is an important technical task. The briquetting process is influenced by many physical factors, in particular the briquetting temperature and the feed rate of the initial mixture. The authors thoroughly and in detail studied these factors. The regularities obtained by them are described in detail and in the correct scientific language. The article can be accepted into the journal for publication, but with minor adjustments.

The authors should consider the question of how the briquetting temperature affects the technical characteristics of the briquette (ash content, volatile output, lower calorific value). As the temperature rises to 140°C, reactions associated with torrefaction can begin.

In addition, the article does not indicate the reasons why such temperature values (100, 120, 140°) and fuel delivery rates (2.4, 2.9 and 3.3 mm/s) were taken.

 

For a more detailed confirmation of the trends identified as a result of this study, it would make sense to increase the number of points under study from 3, at least to 5.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

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Reviewer 2 Report

Abstract should be expanded a little more and written in such a way that it is a mirror of the article for a person who does not know the subject.

All units given in the article should be written with a superscript.

Line 27… Biomass energy has been an indispensable part of the energy-by-what debate? A figure should be provided.

Line 28… Various estimates, what are these estimates? They must be written down.

Line 29-30… Despite this huge potential, why has biomass not yet gained extensive application for energy and power generation?

Line 47… Pressure ranges for low pressure, medium pressure and high pressure should be given.

Line 51….which material?

Line 60-62… The feed speeds and temperatures used in the study should be given in parentheses.

The introduction is a bit simplistic, it should support the purpose of the study with more literature.

How were the feed rate and temperature measured? It should be in the materials and methods section.

Line 69… How was the drying process done? No explanation.

Line 72… the moisture value has dropped from 55% to 10%. what is the value of the raw material after it is shredded?

Line 73… particle size analysis was performed, but there is no data on this in the publication. The particle size of the raw material used in the trial is also not included in the paper.

How was the shredding and grinding process required for the briquetting process carried out? There is no information in the article.

Title 2.1… Particle size, humidity and density are said to be made according to these standards, but there is no information on how they are made. The standards are given, but the explanation of how it was determined must be written.

Title 2.2… The features and operating parameters of the hydraulic press must be given in a table. Also Technical drawing should be given and dimensioning should be shown on it.

Line 86… Heating is done, but there is no information on how this heating is done.

Line 106… In which program  was the statistical analysis performed? should be included in the article.. How many samples were used for statistical analysis?

Was a binding agent used during briquetting? Even if not, this should be indicated.

Title 2.4… What is the accuracy of the electronic mass balancer and vernier calliper? There is no information on how the density was determined. It should be supported by literature.

What are the resulting briquette sizes? It should be shown on a single briquette Picture

A picture of Poplar wood (clone Max-4 Populus maximowiczii Henry × Populus nigra L.) should be added to the article.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Reviewer 3 Report

The introduction more focus on briquettes or pellet production variables and recent articles instead of general about energy or bioenergy. Conclusion should be precise and no more discussion. 

Author Response

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Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Thank you all the corrections have been made.