The objective of this paper is to discuss the use of coffee grounds in
the Brazilian soluble coffee industry. This residue is used as a fuel
in the boilers of the same industry; so, data about their utilization
are presented and analysed, discussing the actual technology and the
advantages of improving the drying of the biomass with the exhaust com
bustion gases. After that, an experimental study is reported on the ch
aracteristics of this material, which are important for the combustion
process, including the transport, storage and drying, the mean diamet
er of the particles, talus angle, apparent and real density, sphericit
y, surface area, terminal velocity, spontaneous ignition temperature a
nd heat of combustion. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All
rights reserved.