Biomass briquettes and biomass pellets are both manufactured from compressed agricultural waste and are both excellent alternatives to coal and furnace oil. But they serve different industrial applications, have different combustion profiles, and suit different boiler types. Here is the definitive comparison to help you choose.
Physical Differences
The most obvious difference is size and shape. BBI biomass pellets are small cylinders (6mm or 8mm diameter, 15–40mm length) manufactured in ring-die pellet presses at very high pressures. BBI biomass briquettes are much larger cylinders (90mm diameter, 150–300mm length) produced in hydraulic or mechanical piston presses at lower pressures.
This size difference has significant implications for storage, handling, and boiler compatibility.
Combustion Performance Comparison
| Parameter | BBI Biomass Briquettes | BBI Biomass Pellets |
|---|---|---|
| GCV (Kcal/kg) | 3800 – 4200 | 4200 – 4600 |
| Ash Content | < 4% | < 2% |
| Moisture Content | < 12% | < 10% |
| Bulk Density | 600–700 kg/m³ | 650–750 kg/m³ |
| Combustion Speed | Slow (sustained burn) | Faster (high temperature) |
| Boiler Type | Fixed grate, batch kilns | Stoker, spreader, co-firing |
| Price Range (bulk) | ₹7 – ₹10/kg | ₹8 – ₹12/kg |
When to Choose Briquettes
Briquettes are the better choice for:
- Small to medium boilers (0.5–3 ton/hour steam) with manual or semi-automated fuel feeding
- Brick kilns and traditional furnaces where large fuel pieces are needed for sustained, slow combustion
- Batch process heating applications where precise temperature control is less critical than sustained heat output
- Budget-conscious buyers where the slightly lower GCV is acceptable and the lower price per kg is the priority
When to Choose Pellets
Pellets are the right choice for:
- Medium to large boilers (3–20+ ton/hour) with automated stoker or pneumatic feeding systems
- Power plant co-firing where high GCV and consistent particle size are mandated
- Applications demanding precise temperature control — textile, food, pharma, chemical
- High-throughput operations where automated fuel handling reduces labour cost
BBI's Recommendation
Many of BBI's customers actually use both products for different applications within the same facility — briquettes for smaller utility boilers and pellets for main process boilers. We offer both products from the same Ahmedabad facility with combined delivery, simplifying your procurement.
Talk to our technical sales team to get a specific product recommendation for your boiler specifications.