A Systematic Review of Densified Biofuel Production in Peru: Insights into Briquettes and Pellets

Inga A.J.V.; Albino C.J.H.; Maravi H.K.H.; Parian B.S.C. · SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering (2025) · DOI: 10.14445/23488360/ijme-v12i6p103

Resumen

Densified biofuels are increasingly vital for renewable energy systems due to their high energy density and homogeneity. This study presents a systematic review of densified biofuel production in Peru, following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A review of international databases, such as Scopus, and national databases, including RENATI and ALICE, selected 28 scientific publications after a four-stage identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion process. The results revealed that most studies focused on briquette production and their energy feasibility as replacements for conventional fuels, with woody biomass-based briquettes being the most studied and reporting calorific values ranging from 17.51 to 22.38 MJ/kg. Rice husk-based briquettes were the second most studied, with reported calorific values of 16.78 to 18.92 MJ/kg. Although less frequently studied, pellets exhibited higher calorific values, ranging from 41.79 to 48.26 MJ/kg. In the compaction process, cassava starch was identified as the most used binder, followed by corn starch, while small-scale densification technologies, such as wooden briquette presses and manual screw presses, were commonly employed. While pellets demonstrated superior calorific values compared to most briquettes, making them a more energy-dense option for biofuel applications, their versatility in material combinations and production methods highlights significant potential for further optimization in renewable energy production.

Instituciones: Universidad Continental