Study, design and prototyping of an animal traction cam based press for biomass densification

An animal traction piston press was studied for applications in developing countries, aimed at producing biomass briquettes as alternative household fuel. Experiments were carried out with different biomasses for determining the minimum compaction pressure and the relationship between applied pressure and volume reduction. Two cams were designed for moving the machine mechanisms: their shape was determined with the aim of minimising the applied draft force, considering the experimentally determined biomass behaviour. The machine was prototyped and tested in Senegal, giving satisfactory results.