Production and Characterization of Fuel Briquettes from Saran Coal Sludge and Cattle Waste

Abstract

The joint processing of coal sludge and cattle waste is considered a means of producing briquetted fuel from secondary raw materials. Formulation selection requires consideration of both energy performance and resistance to mechanical stresses. Moisture content, feedstock preparation, and compaction conditions influence the quality of the resulting fuel [1].

Objective. To compare the energy and mechanical properties of briquettes produced from Saran coal sludge and from a blend of this sludge with cattle waste as the biomass component.

Materials and Methods. Two formulations were considered: C-1 consisted of Saran coal sludge without added biomass, whereas C-2 contained 70% Saran coal sludge and 30% cattle waste by mass of the fuel blend. The coal component was sludge from the Saran coal preparation plant. The 70:30 ratio describes the blend formulation; conversion to a dry-mass basis requires the moisture content of each component at the time of proportioning.

The process comprises feedstock preparation and proportioning, mixing, forming, conditioning, and drying. The comparison was based on the test results reported in the source materials for samples No. 1 and No. 2, designated C-1 and C-2, respectively, in reports issued by the testing laboratory of NPTS Ugol LLP on 19 January 2026 [2, 3]. The properties assessed were moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, sulfur content, calorific value, and drop resistance.