What is the purpose of briquetting, and how does the process go?
There are many ways in which levels of waste can be reduced within industrial settings. One powerful option is to employ the range of briquetting units offered by the team at Hunkeler Systeme AG.
Still, making the most informed choices will first require that you possess a basic understanding of how these machines function. Therefore, let us take a look at their main purpose and the process itself.
What is briquetting?
As this scientific article highlights, briquetting is often used for environmental purposes. It allows businesses to reduce the amount of biomass residue that might otherwise be wasted. Examples include banknotes, wood, lignite, paper and cardboard dust and charcoal.
However, our briquetting machines are more than capable of dealing with a host of other materials. Banknotes, dust and even metallic waste products can all be compacted in such a manner. Once these materials have been compressed to a specific point, they can be sent off for recycling or otherwise repurposed.
Now that we have gained a basic understanding of the purpose of briquetting, what does it truly entail? Let us examine the process in greater detail.
What does briquetting involve?
We can think of briquetting similarly to compressing a material (such as when using a trash compactor). However, there are two main differences:
- The substances are regularly compressed to a much higher density.
- The size and shape of the resulting briquettes will vary (depending upon the product and purpose).
For instance, Hunkeler Systeme can offer various shapes and sizes when briquetting metal waste. In this case, their dimensions can be reduced by up to 40 times the initial volume.
The processes are still generally the same for different products. First, the material is fed into a silo. This substance is then compressed either through the use of a screw or a hydraulic press. As an example, the HHB briquetting press provided by our team employs hydraulics to achieve a compression level of 1:15.
Thanks to superior levels of automation, many briquetting machines can be operated manually or through using advanced software. This helps to increase throughput while reducing any human-based errors.
The components of a typical briquetting machine
Briquetting machines share many common features (although their exact configurations may vary slightly). Here are some of the core components:
- A silo can be found between the press and a filter (to eliminate unwanted particles).
- A series of cylinders combined with a hydraulic press (or a screw).
- The compression area.
- The pump and motor.
- Additional elements, such as hoses, oil reservoirs and control points.
Thanks to the user-friendly layout offered by our machines, implementation is also straightforward.
What are the main benefits of industrial briquetting?
Although the descriptions above were somewhat simplified, they provide a basic overview of how briquetting works. It is now wise to examine some of the benefits that businesses can leverage from this technique.
Briquetting provides environmentally friendly energy solutions
It is important to remember that these machines can deal with a variety of materials. Three common examples include wood, dust and paper-based products. When these are compressed into briquettes, they can be used as a source of fuel. In other words, this process will provide businesses with a sustainable edge over their competitors.
Potential government subsidies
Many nations have embraced a “green” approach to their manufacturing processes. That is why some countries will provide valuable subsidies to firms that compact their materials for subsequent recycling. While such a possibility will vary from region to region, it is still an important advantage to note.
Reduced logistical costs
Companies are always eager to reduce operational costs while enhancing their return on investment (ROI). Briquettes can offer the best of both worlds. First, the machines reduce the amount of on-site space occupied by waste products.
Also, the hydraulic slider configurations offered by Hunkeler Systeme will allow these products to be easily transported. This factor massively reduces logistical costs.
Short- and long-term benefits: modern briquetting solutions
Although the notion of briquetting has existed for some time, the associated technology has evolved at a breakneck pace. Our team is pleased to provide a wide array of options based on your bespoke requirements.
If you would like to learn more, please take a moment to contact one of our specialists. We will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.