Wuxi Yacai Precision Machinery Co., Ltd , https://www.yacaijm.com
Xiamen Jiashen Energy Technology Co., Ltd. has pioneered a groundbreaking method to transform low-quality pulverized coal from Fujian into a novel spheroidal coal with a hollow structure. After undergoing four industrial field tests, the technology demonstrated significant clean and energy-efficient combustion performance. This cavity briquette technology and its corresponding molding process and equipment represent a first in the industry, filling a critical gap in industrial briquette development both domestically and internationally. If widely adopted across China, this innovation could play a vital role in advancing the clean, safe, and sustainable utilization of coal resources.
The key advantage of cavity briquette is its ability to fully replace lump coal, offering superior combustion efficiency and environmental benefits. The technology utilizes low-cost, low-quality pulverized coal from Fujian, which is then processed under high temperature and pressure to create a unique internal structure. Unlike traditional solid coal, which often leaves unburned cinder cores, cavity briquette ensures near-complete combustion, reducing pollution and improving thermal efficiency.
Traditional solid core and lump coal typically achieve thermal efficiencies between 80% and 85%, but they often result in incomplete burning and environmental pollution. Some attempts have been made to add explosive elements to the coal to promote cracking during combustion, but these methods are complex and difficult to control. Xiamen Jiashen developed a scientifically optimized ventilation ratio system, overcoming technical barriers and achieving remarkable improvements in the physical and chemical properties of the cavity coal.
Several industrial applications have validated the effectiveness of cavity briquette. For instance, in August 2002, Suzhou Iron and Steel Plant used 0.3 tons of cavity briquettes in a gas furnace. In 2005, Jiangsu Nantian Group Fertilizer Company tested 300 tons of cavity briquettes for fertilizer production. Later that year, Xiamen Huadaxin Industry and Trade replaced coke with 30 tons of cavity briquettes, and Daejeon Shenghe Casting and Metallurgy used 30 tons to substitute high-quality lump coal.
The results were impressive: thermal efficiency exceeded 98%, coal savings reached over 18%, sulfur dioxide emissions dropped by 41%, soot emissions fell by 40%, and the gas quality was comparable to high-quality lump coal. These outcomes significantly reduced costs—by more than 90 yuan per ton of synthetic ammonia—and proved the commercial viability of cavity briquette.
Fujian, with limited coal resources and poor coal quality, relies heavily on imported coal. However, using just 6 million tons of low-quality pulverized coal annually could produce enough cavity briquettes to meet local demand. With a conservative coal saving rate of 15%, this could save 900,000 tons of coal yearly, generating economic benefits of 540 million yuan at a price of 600 yuan per ton. Environmentally, it would reduce dust and sulfur dioxide emissions by over 40%, offering substantial ecological value.
As a strategic initiative, cavity briquette aligns with China’s long-term energy policy, which prioritizes coal as a primary energy source. However, large-scale coal use leads to environmental issues like acid rain and global warming. Converting coal into secondary energy through gasification is a cleaner solution. Cavity briquette is particularly suitable for fixed bed gasifiers, which are widely used in industries such as metallurgy and fertilizers.
Despite the challenges with fixed bed gasifiers, such as sensitivity to coal particle size and quality, cavity briquette has proven effective in real-world applications. It offers a unique, patented solution that meets China’s long-term needs, especially given the rising demand for lump coal and the growing surplus of pulverized coal.
Cavity briquette not only provides economic value but also helps recycle coal resources lost during transportation. By processing coal chips and dust into high-value briquettes, it reduces waste and lowers energy costs for end users. Implementing this technology in coastal coal transfer ports could generate the equivalent of a 5-million-ton-per-year mine, creating significant economic and social benefits.
In conclusion, cavity briquette represents a major technological breakthrough with wide-ranging applications. It should be promoted as a key driver for industrial transformation and resource optimization, focusing on regions with coal resources, coastal ports, and concentrated gas producers. Through pilot projects and scaling up, it can help China achieve sustainable energy development while addressing both economic and environmental challenges.