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

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering

© 2025 by SSRG - IJME Journal

Volume 12 Issue 6

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : Albert Jorddy Valenzuela Inga, Carlos Javier Huaman Albino, Heydi Karina Hinostroza Maravi, Boris Senin Carhuallanqui Parian

10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I6P103

How to Cite?

Albert Jorddy Valenzuela Inga, Carlos Javier Huaman Albino, Heydi Karina Hinostroza Maravi, Boris Senin Carhuallanqui Parian, "A Systematic Review of Densified Biofuel Production in Peru: Insights into Briquettes and Pellets," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 12,  no. 6, pp. 21-33, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V12I6P103

Abstract:

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.

Keywords:

Biofuels, Densification, Briquette, Pellet, Densified biomass, Biomass.

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