Applied Chemistry

Activity 1.2

Solid Fuels

A. Answer the following: (the succeeding rubric will be used to evaluate your output)
1. Discuss the statement “Coal is a dirty fuel”.
- Coal is known for being a dirty fuel, because it contains a large amount of toxic
heavy metals and other chemicals. When the fuels are burned, they emit toxins
and global warming emissions.
2. What does charcoal and coke have in common? Compare their properties
- The common thing for these two substances is the fact that they are used in
thermo centrals, by putting machines into function through their capacity of
burning as a combustible. Their properties; Coke properties include high porosity,
high carbon content, high strength and hardness, and low amount of volatiles.
Charcoal exists in a solid amorphous state, it is a low-density compound, low
mechanical properties, acts as a good absorbent, it readily absorbs moisture.
3. What is coal gas?
- Coal gas is a mixture of gases such as hydrogen, methane, carbon monoxide and
volatile hydrocarbons procured by the destructive distillation of coal.

B. Journal/Article review/ Reading Report

Instructor/Professor: Annie Balahadia

Section & Subject: ELET 1101/Applied Chemistry

READING REPORT

(September 02,2021)

Journal/Article Title: Converting Biomass and Waste Plastic to Solid Fuel Briquettes

Written by: F. Zannikos, S. Kalligeros, G. Anastopoulos, and E. Lois

 A. New Learning

Introduction:

In the introduction, it shows that these activities such as, transport, industrial, and
domestic activities are the sources of pollution that lead to the basic cause of the phenomenon
which is generally referred to as climate change. In response to climate change, the use of
biomass fuels is increasing as sustainable and carbon (climate) neutral fuels are sought. It also
shows how conventional energy sources are used or turned into renewable energy sources. Life
cycle stages are also shown which are the primary, secondary material and the tertiary fuels which
have undergone processing to reach its preferred combustion format.

In this article :

This article aims to study the characteristics of briquettes for household use.
Additionally, the combustion characteristics of the briquettes and their emissions in a common
open fireplace were studied. Open fireplaces are the simplest class of residential biomass and
solid waste combustion appliances with the combustion zone positioned upon a simple grate in a
solid form base. As the name suggests, open fireplaces have at least one exposed side. Exposure
of the combustion zone allows for significant heat losses.

In conclusion:

Based on the conclusion, it says that all briquettes examined have no problem in
the combustion procedure. In observation because of the combustion’s high temperature the
briquettes with content in polyethylene greater than 40% burned intensely and lost their basic
shape rapidly and the smoke exceeded the smoke number scale level of 9+. When the briquettes
have a small amount of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) the behavior in the combustion is
steadier because of the increased concentration in oxygen. It is also observed that the smoke has
no measured alternations when the concentration changes slightly.

B. Insights on the design and conduct of research/article/journal

The article presents a research:

This article is thoroughly intuitive because it is well-organized and the datas are lowdown
for it is done in different processes or observations, it also shows table and graphings that are provided to
make it more understandable.
C. Topics on research/article/journal that I do not understand

1. Smoke emission/Carbon monoxide emission/Emissions

2. Polyethylene terephthalate

3. Life cycle stages

D. Discussion Questions

1. What is Polyethylene terephthalate?

2. How does biomass and waste plastic convert to solid fuel briquettes?

3. What is the use of these four clear phases (ignition,startup,steady state, and
burnout) during the transient cycle?