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Briquetting System

Overview
Economic, environmental or reclamation integrity considerations may initiate a requirement for briquetting. In short, briquetting or pucking densifies (compresses) the material, thereby potentially reclaiming expensive and possibly environmentally unfriendly coolants. The briquette can be marketed well beyond the local market, often resulting in increased value for the material.

Economic Considerations
Producers of ferrous/nonferrous chips and turnings may benefit from briquetting on a pure economic basis, particularly in a single or segregated alloy environment. Coolant or cutting oils, which can vary between 10% to 30% of the weight, can be reduced to 0.2% to 1% with the balance often recovered and reused. Whereas the economic return on a per pound basis can be from break-even to lucrative, quite often a potential gain can be realized through accuracy of weight recovery.

Environmental Considerations
The environmental impact of briquetting chips or turnings, unless processed through a drying process can contain 10% to 30% of environmentally unfriendly coolants or cutting oils. Unless strict controls are enforced, these fluids can result in ground contamination at the facility. They also can be a hazard during transportation and storage.

Briquetting can be an important component to achieving ISO 14000 compliance.

Briquetting Systems
A briquetting system is unique for each application and will take into account present material handling practices and in-plant collection equipment.