Comparative Analysis of Physical and Mechanical Properties of Pellets Produced from Root and Stem Parts of Snack Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.)
7TH WORLD CONFERENCE ON SUSTAINABLE LIFE SCIENCES, İstanbul, Türkiye, 6 - 10 Mayıs 2026, ss.109-116, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Tam Metin Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: İstanbul
- Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.109-116
- Erciyes Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The growing demand for energy and the environmental impacts of fossil fuels have made it important to utilize agricultural waste as a renewable energy source. In this study, the suitability of biomass obtained from the roots and stems of the snack pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) plant for use as pellet fuel was examined in a comparative study. In the experiment, both biomass materials were prepared at 8-10% moisture content and processed into pellets with a diameter of 6, 8 and 10 mm.
To determine the physical and mechanical properties of the produced pellets, parameters such as diameter, length, weight, pellet density, moisture absorption capacity, and breaking strength were evaluated. The findings revealed significant differences between pellets derived from roots and those from stems. In particular, it was observed that root-derived pellets exhibited a more durable structure in terms of density and breaking strength, while stem-derived pellets showed a higher tendency for moisture absorption. Regarding pellet size and weight values, relatively more homogeneous results were obtained between the two materials.
These results demonstrate that different parts of the snack pumpkin plant have significant effects on pellet quality. The data obtained indicate that it is possible to produce higher-quality and more stable pellets for storage through appropriate biomass selection. The study contributes to the evaluation of alternative biomass sources within the scope of converting agricultural waste into energy.