Hydroxypropyl Starch Ether: How to Make Coal Briquette Production More Stable, Strong, and Eco-Friendly

Common Problems in Coal Briquette Production

1. Low Binding Strength

Many traditional binders do not provide enough strength:

• Low wet strength: Briquettes crack or break during transportation and drying
• Poor hot strength: Organic binders decompose at high temperatures, causing briquettes to collapse during combustion or gasification
• High dosage required: Ordinary starch often needs 4–6% or more, increasing cost and reducing coal’s calorific value

2. Poor Process Adaptability

Traditional binders are difficult to use in modern production lines:

• High-temperature gelatinization required: Ordinary starch must be heated to 60–80°C, increasing energy consumption
• Long processing time: Humic acid binders need alkaline cooking and long fermentation, making continuous production difficult
• Rainy season problems: Poor moisture control makes production unstable in humid environments

3. Weak Water Resistance

• Briquettes absorb moisture easily and become soft
• Storage and transportation are limited
• Moisture content must be strictly controlled (usually 5–15%), which is difficult in practice

4. Environmental and Cost Conflicts

• Inorganic binders (clay, bentonite) increase ash content and reduce heating value
• Low-quality binders may contain sulfur or heavy metals, releasing harmful gases
• High-performance chemical binders are often too expensive for large-scale use

How Hydroxypropyl Starch Ether Works

1. Working Mechanism

Through chemical modification, functional groups are introduced into the starch molecule, giving it the following properties:

• Cold-water solubility
• Strong adhesion between coal particles
• Stable viscosity under alkaline conditions
• Good anti-sagging performance before forming

2. Performance Improvement Comparison