GOEP R&D Seed Grant: Demonstration of the Combustion Characteristics of Fuel Briquettes made from Fine Coal and Biomass

The project will be conducted with the primary objective of evaluating the behavior of a briquetted fuel produced from a combination of fine coal and biomass in an industrial-scale stoker boiler (i.e., processing, combustion, and emission characteristics). The proposed project addresses all three of the guiding principles used in the development of Kentucky's Energy policy: Namely, lower-cost energy via production of a high-quality, low-cost fuel; responsible utilization of energy resources via beneficial use of potential energy resources now being discarded; and a commitment to the environment through production of a fuel that burns cleaner and reduces the amount of energy resources that have been and continue to be discarded. In addition to addressing the stated mutually inclusive goals of energy development, economic development and environmental quality, the project specifically addresses five of the recommendations of the 2005 Comprehensive Energy Strategy including Recommendation 18- promotion of renewable resources; Recommendation 25- support projects and initiatives intended to open new markets for Kentucky coal; Recommendation 33-recovery of refuse associated with abandoned mine wastes; Recommendation 36-transfonnation of waste materials to value-added products; and Recommendation 42-responsible development of our energy resources in a low-cost and environmentally-friendly manner.