Briquettes

[M@tt]

We are a mid sized joinery shop and have recently aquired a briquette press. 95% of our dust is from MDF and particleboard so the briquettes aren't suitable for burning in typical fireplaces. We produce about 3 - 5 cubic metres a week. Does anybody know of any use for the briquettes other than paying to dispose them.

Matt

[NCArcher]

Some years ago I installed the electrics for briquette powered timber kilns. The kilns were powered by a boiler fed with briquettes and offcuts from the mill. Maybe some form of boiler that doesn't care what it burns. I can't think of anything else apart from the kilns but there must be plenty of uses for a readily available source of fuel.

[pjt]

Maybe a high temp furnace/kiln might be the better option for mdf briquettes.



Pete

[alexii]

We are a mid sized joinery shop and have recently aquired a briquette press. 95% of our dust is from MDF and particleboard so the briquettes aren't suitable for burning in typical fireplaces. We produce about 3 - 5 cubic metres a week. Does anybody know of any use for the briquettes other than paying to dispose them.

Matt

Hi Matt

I have a Weimar C150 briquette that I bought late yearnew from DKHS, and produce about the same quantities as you do per week.

I had the same idea about using them as a fuel in industrial use, to reduce my wastedisposal cost.
The briquettes are not as solid as they show on YouTube, and don'thold up in handling them; they break up into crumbly pieces, so makes themuseless to give away. I have posted a vidio clip on YouTube, the link is belowif you want to see it.
http://youtu.be/iddYpNUyeuk

I would like to know what brand you have and if you havea similar problem with your briquettes?

[ksaw5562]

Hi Matt

I have a Weimar C150 briquette that I bought late yearnew from DKHS, and produce about the same quantities as you do per week.

I had the same idea about using them as a fuel in industrial use, to reduce my wastedisposal cost.
The briquettes are not as solid as they show on YouTube, and don'thold up in handling them; they break up into crumbly pieces, so makes themuseless to give away. I have posted a vidio clip on YouTube, the link is belowif you want to see it.
Wiema C150 MDF Dust - YouTube (http://youtu.be/iddYpNUyeuk)

I would like to know what brand you have and if you havea similar problem with your briquettes?

Hi Matt/Alexii,

I work in waste management consulting and wanted to share some info with you. There is in NSW an EPA-funded industrial ecology program looking into the commercial re-use of timber waste including sawdust briquettes. The program is called "Circulate" and the EPA can provide info as to current project status. You might even be put in touch with someone who can help you with your briquettes. Visit Circulate, NSW EPA Industrial Ecology Program | NSW EPA (http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/wastegrants/industrial-ecology.htm) for contact info.

I heard that MDF produces dust with a particularly low moisture content which can inhibit bonding when compressed into briquettes. Not sure if this could be helped by combining different grades of sawdust, but be sure to wear appropriate dust-proof PPE when handling as inhalation is hazardous.