10-07-202656
In the contemporary world, the ecological and economic consequences of using conventional fuels — coal, gas and petroleum products, which occupy a central position in the energy sector — represent one of the most pressing issues in sustainable development. According to the International Energy Agency, more than 80% of global energy consumption is met by these natural resources, generating approximately 30 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Coal is considered the most ecologically hazardous, as its combustion releases not only carbon monoxide but also heavy metals, chlorine compounds and fluorinated greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
China is the world's leading producer and consumer of coal, with more than 60% of its energy balance supplied by coal. This creates an enormous ecological burden:
• Health damage: according to China's National Health Commission, air pollution causes the premature deaths of more than 1 million people annually, primarily from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
• Economic losses: polluted air nullifies between 6 and 8% of the country's annual GDP, equivalent to more than 500 billion yuan per year.
• Environmental damage: acid rain and smog resulting from coal combustion severely degrade the quality of water and land resources in urban and rural areas.
Although gas and petroleum products are comparatively cleaner, their carbon emissions and high, volatile prices also indicate their imperfections.
As a solution to these problems, renewable energy sources — solar, wind and biomass — are gaining increasing importance day by day. In particular, biomass is attracting growing attention as a promising energy resource. Agricultural residues — leaves and branches — occupy a special place in this context. China generates more than 900 million tonnes of agricultural leaves and approximately 200 million tonnes of poultry waste annually; the majority either decomposes over several years or is burned in the open air, further polluting the atmosphere. The innovative solution to this problem is the technology of converting these wastes into granulated fuel with high energy value — convenient and clean to use. This article examines the modern technology for producing granulated biomass fuel from leaves and small branches implemented in China, its advantages, and a comparative analysis with traditional coal.
Comparative Analysis
Criterion
Coal (Traditional)
Leaf/Branch Pellets (Alternative)
Environmental Impact
High: CO₂, SO₂, heavy metals, ash waste
Low: CO₂ neutral (absorbed by plants during growth), low ash
Economic Efficiency
High prices and transport costs, complex infrastructure
Local raw material, low cost, simple production process
Energy Efficiency
High (20-25 MJ/kg), but low equipment efficiency (30-40%)
Medium (16-18 MJ/kg), but high equipment efficiency (85-90%)
Applicability
For large-scale thermal power plants
For small and medium facilities, agriculture, local needs
Waste Management
Ash recycling is complex and costly
Ash volume very low, can be used as fertiliser
Role in State Policy
Restriction and taxation measures intensifying
Supported by subsidies and preferential loans
This technology, developed in China, represents a comprehensive approach not only to the energy problem but also to the issues of waste utilisation and the economic development of rural areas.
Technological Process
The production of granulated biomass fuel is carried out in several stages:
1. Raw material preparation. Leaves and small branches are first dried to a moisture content of 10–15%, which is an essential precondition for subsequent processes.
2. Grinding and mixing. The dried materials are ground in specialised shredding machines to a size of 2–8 mm. Biofuel components or special binding agents are added to the ground mass to enhance the strength and calorific value of the pellets.
3. Granulation. The blended mass is converted into pellets under high pressure in pellet presses, typically with a diameter of 6–10 mm and a length of 10–30 mm. The process temperature of 70–90°C softens the lignin and ensures the natural bonding of the pellets.
4. Cooling and sorting. The finished pellets are cooled and any non-conforming pieces are separated.
5. Storage and transportation. Pellets are stored in moisture-protected warehouses and delivered to sales points in polyethylene bags.
Fields of Application
Granulated biomass fuel can be widely applied across various sectors:
• Local heat sources: small and medium-scale thermal power plants.
• Agricultural enterprises: greenhouse heating.
• Residential areas: use in specialised stoves.
• Industrial enterprises: meeting internal energy needs.
Existing Conditions in Uzbekistan
Volume of agricultural waste: Uzbekistan generates millions of tonnes of wheat straw and cotton stalks annually. In most cases, these are burned, leading to air pollution and resource loss.
State policy: the 'Strategy for the Development of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan for 2020–2030' designates waste recycling and the introduction of innovative technologies as priority tasks.
Share of green energy: in 2025, renewable energy sources accounted for approximately 30% of total electricity generated in Uzbekistan. The volume of solar and wind energy doubled, and gas consumption decreased by 3.2 billion cubic metres.
Opportunities for Applying China's Experience in Uzbekistan
Environmental Advantages
• Reduction of air pollution from waste burning. Open burning of agricultural waste releases large quantities of harmful substances into the atmosphere — carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter. This not only pollutes the atmosphere but also poses a serious threat to public health. Converting waste into granulated biomass fuel allows it to be burned under controlled conditions in high-efficiency installations. As a result, air pollution decreases sharply, a healthy environment is created for the population, and ecological sustainability is ensured.
• Reduction of ash waste and the possibility of processing it as fertiliser. The combustion of traditional coal produces large quantities of ash, the recycling of which is an expensive and complex process. When granulated biomass is burned, the volume of ash is significantly lower. The mineral substances contained in this ash can be used as valuable agricultural fertiliser. In this way, not only is energy extracted from waste, but its residual portion also yields economic benefit. This process implements the 'waste to resource' principle and promotes the development of a circular economy in agriculture.
• Combating climate change by reducing carbon emissions. The combustion of coal and petroleum products releases large quantities of CO₂ into the atmosphere, accelerating global warming. Biomass pellets are considered 'carbon neutral', since the CO₂ emitted upon their combustion equals the amount of gas absorbed by plants during their growth period. Thus, the use of biomass fuel pellets significantly reduces carbon emissions and serves as an effective tool in combating climate change. This technology is also of great importance for countries fulfilling their international climate commitments, including the Paris Agreement.
Economic Advantages
• Creation of a cheap energy source from local raw materials. Uzbekistan generates large volumes of agricultural waste annually — wheat straw, cotton stalks and livestock residues. The majority of this either rots or is burned. If granulated biomass fuel were produced from this raw material, the country would create a cheap and sustainable energy source from its own internal resources. This would not only reduce the cost of energy but would also constitute an economically efficient solution for the population and enterprises.
• Creation of new jobs and small manufacturing enterprises in rural areas. The technology for producing granulated fuel opens up opportunities for establishing small and medium enterprises in rural areas. This would contribute to the creation of new jobs for the local population, the expansion of income sources, and the promotion of social stability. Processing waste can stimulate the industrialisation of rural territories, raise the living standards of the population, and ensure regional economic development.
• Reduction of the need for imported fuels. Gas and petroleum products account for the main share of energy production in the country, a significant portion of which is supplied through imports, creating external economic risks and increasing expenditure. If granulated fuel production from local waste were broadly established, the need for imports would decrease significantly. This would strengthen energy security, reduce the national economy's dependence on external factors, and ensure strategic independence.
Technological Advantages
• Improving efficiency through automated processing. Specialists in the field of granulated fuel production are recommended to conduct in-depth study and practical implementation of automated processing systems in order to improve production efficiency. In particular, automating the key technological stages — drying, grinding, granulation and sorting — will significantly reduce the need for manual labour, shorten production time and ensure consistent product quality. The use of automated systems also creates opportunities for bringing production to an industrial scale, increasing output volumes and reducing unit costs. Therefore, industry specialists are strongly advised to study international experience in modern automated technologies, digital management systems and high-performance equipment, and to adapt it to local conditions.
• Ease of storage and transportation. Due to its compact form, granulated fuel is considerably more convenient to store and transport compared to unprocessed waste. Pellets can be stored for extended periods in moisture-protected warehouses; during transportation, efficiency is ensured in terms of both volume and weight. This property makes delivery from rural areas to cities or industrial enterprises less costly and more efficient. Furthermore, the standard dimensions of the pellets allow them to be easily used in various stoves and installations.
• Possibility of developing specialised stoves adapted to local conditions. The efficient use of granulated fuel requires specialised stoves and equipment. Stoves designed with local conditions in mind provide economical energy consumption, minimal emissions and adaptability to the needs of the population. For example, small-scale stoves can be developed for heating agricultural greenhouses, domestic models for residential homes, and large-scale installations for industrial enterprises. This will also contribute to the development of local engineering and industrial capacity.
Comparative Table
Indicator
China's Experience
Uzbekistan's Potential
Raw Material Volume
900 million tonnes of leaves, 200 million tonnes of waste
Wheat straw, cotton stalks
State Policy
Subsidies and preferential loans
'Uzbekistan 2030' Strategy: recycling and green energy are priorities
Energy Efficiency
16–18 MJ/kg, efficiency 85–90%
Similar indicators achievable depending on raw material type
Environmental Impact
CO₂ neutral, low ash
Reduction of air pollution through waste utilisation
Economic Efficiency
Affordable local energy
Reduced dependence on imported fuel, job creation
The technology for producing granulated biomass fuel from leaves and small branches, developed in China, represents an important innovation in the energy sector. This technology constitutes not only an ecologically clean alternative to traditional coal but also a rational method for utilising agricultural waste. The simplicity and efficiency of the production process open broad possibilities for its large-scale application.
Thus, granulated biomass fuel holds significant importance for enhancing energy security, improving the environmental situation, and achieving economic efficiency. Such innovative solutions will play an increasingly important role in sustainable energy development.
Significance for Uzbekistan: our country also generates large volumes of agricultural waste annually — wheat straw and cotton stalks. Converting them into granulated biomass fuel will allow not only for the effective utilisation of waste but also for the development of a local energy source and the supply of the population and industry with cheap and ecologically clean fuel. Applying China's experience in Uzbekistan in this direction will be an important step towards strengthening energy sustainability, stimulating the economic development of rural areas and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.