Study of the Mechanical and Energetic Properties of Pellets Produce from Agricultural Biomass of Quinoa, Beans, Oat, Cattail and Wheat

The lack of conventional fuels in rural areas in Peru drives people to burn agricultural wastes that are used as fuel. Burning these wastes produce a large amount of gaseous pollutants that harm the health of people, causing respiratory diseases primarily in children. This study determined the optimal conditions and relation between waste ashes and starch to produce pellets using wastes from Puno region in Peru with a high heating value and durability. The optimal content range was 30% starch and 70% of quinoa ashes, considering also the production of energy and the durability of the pellets. The relation between particle size, heating value, starch content and mechanical resistance was studied using an artisan pellets preparation method to allowed villagers the access to energy that they can prepared and storage.