Environmental Science and Pollution Research

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-11124-0

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Influence of particle size on the physico-mechanical and energy

properties of briquettes produced with coffee husks
Carine Setter 1 & Carlos Henrique Ataíde 2 & Rafael Farinassi Mendes 3 & Tiago José Pires de Oliveira 3

Received: 20 April 2020 / Accepted: 4 October 2020

# Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020

Abstract
Briquetting is a technology with the potential to convert agricultural wastes into solid biofuels with improved handling, transport,
storage, and energy efficiency characteristics. It is important to study the variables related to the briquetting process and the raw
material because these parameters can affect the quality of the final product. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate
the influence of particle size on the physico-mechanical and energy properties of briquettes produced with coffee husks. Three
particle size fractions were obtained: particles larger than 1.8 mm, in the range of 1.8–1.2 mm, and smaller than 1.2 mm. The
coffee husk briquettes were prepared in a densification system at 120 °C and 15 MPa for 15 min. The physical, mechanical, and
energy characteristics such as apparent density, volumetric expansion, compressive strength, abrasion resistance, and energy
density were determined. A combustibility test was also carried out. The results showed that particle size influenced the apparent
density, compressive strength, and energy density of the briquettes. However, there was no significant difference in the volu-
metric expansion or abrasion resistance of the densified products among the treatments. In general, the briquettes made with
particles smaller than 1.2 mm had better physico-mechanical and energy characteristics.

Keywords Biofuels . Briquettes . Coffee husks . Densification

Introduction the exploitation of renewable sources as energy alternatives.

Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable source that has
Environmental concerns such as the mitigation of harmful attracted attention as a raw material for obtaining high value
gases in the atmosphere and energy security have encouraged products, including biofuels, value-added chemicals, and den-
sified fuels. Lignocellulosic wastes can be classified into two
basic types: forest wastes and agricultural wastes (Xu et al.
Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues
2015). Agricultural wastes are more promising because these
* Tiago José Pires de Oliveira
wastes are available in large amounts, have low inherent val-
tiago.pires@ufla.br ue, and do not compete with food sources (Anwar et al. 2014).
According to the International Coffee Organization (ICO)
Carine Setter
carine_cah@hotmail.com (International Coffee Organization 2017), Brazil is the largest
coffee exporter in the world, accounting for more than 35% of
Carlos Henrique Ataíde the total world production of coffee in the last 5 years, which
chataide@ufu.br
consequently generates large amounts of waste. Due to the
Rafael Farinassi Mendes large production in the coffee industry, huge amounts of waste
rafael.mendes@ufla.br
are generated annually. In 2017, coffee processing in Brazil
1 produced approximately 2.7 million tons of coffee husks
Department of Forest Sciences, Federal University of Lavras,
Lavras, MG 37200-000, Brazil (Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento 2017). This waste
2 represents a major environmental problem due to the
Federal University of Uberlandia, Faculty of Chemical Engineering,
Av. João Naves de Ávila, 2121, Block 1 K, chemical composition of coffee husks, which have high
Uberlândia, MG 38408-144, Brazil contents of tannin and phenolic compounds that can be toxic
3
Department of Engineering, Federal University of Lavras, to plants and soil microorganisms (Murthy and Madhava
Lavras, MG 37200-000, Brazil Naidu 2012). Therefore, proper management of coffee husks

minimizes waste and improper disposal, promoting sustain-
able development.
Undesirable characteristics inherent to biomass, such as
low density and high moisture, affect transport costs, storage,
and energy efficiency. A simple and straightforward solution
to overcome these disadvantages is the mechanical compac-
tion of biomass, turning the biomass into briquettes. Such
processing reduces the biomass volume, resulting in denser
homogeneous materials with regular shapes and sizes, opti-
mizing and reducing handling and transport costs, and increas-
ing long-term storage capacity and energy density (Lim et al.
2012; Mamvura et al. 2018). The characteristics of the densi-
fied biomass directly influence its final application, so it is
important to understand its physical, mechanical, and energy
properties. The apparent density and mechanical strength are
among the most important parameters of briquettes as fuel
(Samuelsson et al. 2012). The mechanical characteristics of
briquettes without the addition of binders depend on the size
and structure of the biomass particles (Bergström et al. 2008).
It is generally assumed that smaller particles result in denser
and more resistant compacted products (Brand et al. 2017).
The density of the briquettes depends on the size of the
biomass particles, the compaction pressure, and the briquetting
temperature and time (Kers et al. 2010). The properties and
quality of the solid biofuel can be influenced by factors related
to the raw material and the production process (Zhang et al.
2018). Particle size, compression temperature, retention time,
and pressure are variables that can be adjusted to enhance pro-
duction and improve the quality of the final product. Among
these variables, particle size is one of the most important pa-
rameters because the bond between the particles of the ligno-
cellulosic material is a good indicator of briquette quality.
These bonds can be improved by physical modifications of
the waste and also adjusting the pressure and temperature
during the compaction process.
Natural binding compounds, present in plant biomass, such
as proteins, starch, and lignins, aid in the cohesion and bond-
ing of particles (Shaw et al. 2009). The application of pretreat-
ments such as particle size reduction increases the surface area
the contact points and the release of these chemical constitu-
ents, improving the bonds between the particles during
compaction.
The pressure and temperature used in the compaction pro-
cess also contribute to the increase in the mechanical strength
of densified products. The increase in the compaction pressure
results in plastic and elastic deformations, diffusion of mole-
cules, and reduction of empty spaces between the particles
forming a compacted solid product (Muazu and Stegemann
2015) with better mechanical (mechanical resistance and du-
rability) and physical properties (dimensional stability and
apparent density). The use of temperature is also one of the
factors that influences the binding mechanisms between the
particles. Temperatures below the optimum value, the
Environ Sci Pollut Res
briquette becomes unstable and with low resistance (Kers
et al. 2010). On the other hand, high temperatures favor the
release of natural binders, contained in the lignocellulosic ma-
terial (starch, proteins, or lignin), which contribute to the for-
mation of solid bridges after cooling (Kaliyan and Vance
Morey 2009). Therefore, it is essential to define the ideal
temperature and pressure for the production of briquettes,
aiming at product quality and low production cost.
Many studies have been conducted on how to improve
briquette quality by modifying the particle size of the biomass
(Kaliyan and Vance Morey 2009; Brand et al. 2017; Wang
et al. 2018). However, the optimum particle size differs ac-
cording to the equipment used for compaction and the feed-
stock. Thus, it is necessary to study the effects of the particle
sizes of different biomasses on the final properties of bri-
quettes. Therefore, the objective of this study was to produce
briquettes with different particle sizes and to evaluate the ef-
fects on the physico-mechanical and energy properties.
Materials and methods
Biomass collection and preparation
The briquettes were made from coffee bean processing waste
(husks) provided by Lagoa Farm, located in Santo Antônio do
Amparo, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The coffee husks were reduced
to particles in a hammer mill and then sorted using sieves with
mesh opening diameters ranging from 1.2 to 1.8 mm. For
compaction, three coffee husk particle sizes were obtained:
particles larger than 1.8 mm (1st), particles that passed
through the 1.8-mm sieve and were retained in the 1.2-mm
sieve (2nd), and particles smaller than 1.2 mm (3rd).
Biomass characterization
For the immediate chemical, structural chemical, and calorific
value analyses of the biomass, the material was passed
through a 40-mesh sieve and retained in a 60-mesh sieve.
Percent moisture, volatile matter, ash, and fixed carbon con-
tents were determined in accordance with the ASTM D1762-
84 standard of the American Society for Testing Materials
(ASTM 2013).
For the structural chemical analysis, the total extractive,
soluble, and insoluble lignin and holocellulose contents were
determined. The total extractive content was determined ac-
cording to the TAPPI 204 om-88 standard (Technical
Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry-TAPPI, 2001)
(TAPPI T. 2007), replacing ethanol/benzene with ethanol/tol-
uene. The insoluble lignin content was determined by the
modified Klason method, according to the procedure pro-
posed by Gomide and Demuner (1986). The soluble lignin
content was obtained according to the method suggested by
Environ Sci Pollut Res
Goldschimid (1971). The total lignin content was obtained by
adding the insoluble lignin and soluble lignin contents. The
holocellulose content was obtained by difference, subtracting
the lignin and ash content from the initial extractive-free mass.
The higher heating value (HHV) of the biomass was deter-
mined using a IKA C-200 digital calorimeter, according to the
ASTM E711-87 standard (ASTM 2004). The bulk density
was determined for the three particle sizes obtained for bri-
quette production, according to ASTM D7481-18 standard
(ASTM 2018). The biomass characterization assays were per-
formed in triplicate.
Briquetting
The compaction was performed in a hydraulic press (MA 098/
A110, Marconi). The temperature used in the briquetting pro-
cess was 120 °C, and the pressure was 15 MPa.
Approximately 120 ± 2 g biomass was placed in a stainless
steel cylindrical mold with a diameter of 7 cm and a height of
10 cm and held under compression for 15 min. After compac-
tion, the briquettes were stored in a climate chamber at 22 °C
with a relative humidity of 60%.
Physical properties
To determine the apparent density and dimensional stability of
the briquettes, 10 samples made with each of the particle sizes
were evaluated. The apparent density of the briquettes was
determined according to the stereometric method. The method
consisted of obtaining the mass of the briquettes on a precision
scale and the volume with the aid of a digital caliper with an
accuracy of 0.01 mm, where the diameter and height of each
briquette were measured. To evaluate the dimensional stabil-
ity, the diameter and height of each briquette were checked
with the digital caliper. The measurements were performed
shortly after compaction and after 24, 48, and 72 h.
Mechanical properties
The diametral compressive strength of the briquettes was de-
termined in an EMIC DL 30000 N universal test machine.
Five samples were evaluated for each treatment, where each
sample was placed in the test platform horizontally and
pressed at 5 mm/min until rupture. The maximum force was
recorded, and the compressive strength was determined by the
following equation:
2 F
σt ¼
πDL
where σt is the compressive strength, F is the maximum force
(kgf), D is the briquette diameter (cm), and L is the
length (cm).
The friability of the briquettes was determined by a drum
test based on the ABNT NBR 8740 standard. For each treat-
ment, 4 briquettes with masses of approximately 120 ± 2 g
were used. The initial mass of the briquettes was obtained;
then, the samples were placed in a drum for approximately
15 min, totaling 500 rotations at a rotational speed of 35 rpm.
The durability of the briquettes was calculated from the mass
remaining after the abrasion test. The friability assay was car-
ried out in duplicate.
Energy properties
The energy density is the potential of a given volume of ligno-
cellulosic material to generate energy. The energy density of the
briquettes was determined by the product of the higher heating
value of the biomass and the apparent density of the briquettes.
Combustion tests
The combustion tests followed the method proposed by
(Setter et al. 2020a, b) with changes in the amounts of material
and solvent. For each test, only one briquette of approximately
120 g was used. The briquettes were placed in the combustor,
and 110 g of ethanol in a vessel was used for the initial igni-
tion. All the ethanol was consumed at the beginning of the
test, not influencing the results. The duration of the test was 2
h, and mass and temperature data were collected every 5 min
to construct the mass × time curves. The combustibility test
was carried out in duplicate. The experimental configuration
of the combustion test is shown in Fig. 1.
Statistical analysis
The experimental design to evaluate the quality of the bri-
quettes consisted of three treatments, T1: particles > 1.8
mm; T2: particles ˂ 1.8 mm and > 1.2 mm; and T3: particles
< 1.2 mm, with 10 repetitions for the physical property
Fig. 1 The experimental configuration of the combustion test. Copyright
authorized by Elsevier (Setter et al. 2020b)
 Environ Sci Pollut Res

Table 1 Coffee husk properties (wt.% on dry basis) Table 2 Physical characteristics of coffee husks and briquettes
produced
Property Coffee husk
Treatment (particle size) Bulk density Apparent density of
High heating value (MJ/kg) 18.50 (0.12) (kg m-3) briquettes (kg m−3)
Volatile matter (%) 77.09 (1.009)
1st 256 (4.04) a 1130 (19.42) a
Fixed carbon (%) 19.36 (0.940)
2nd 398 (3.46) b 1150 (11.63) a
Ash (%) 3.55 (0.124)
3rd 482 (25.15) c 1260 (27.19) b
Moisture (%) 9.06 (0.001)
Lignin (%) 27.14 (0.086) Means followed by same letters in the same column are statistically equal
Holocellulose (%) 47.29 (0.133) by Tukey test at 5% of significance. Standard deviation in parentheses
Extractives (%) 20.53 (0.305)

Standard deviation in parentheses were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and when
a significant difference was detected by the F test, the Tukey
measurements and 5 repetitions for the mechanical compres- test was applied at 5% significance using the statistical pro-
sive strength measurements for each treatment. The results gram SISVAR (variance analysis system).

Fig. 2 Stereoscopic images of the

briquettes: (a) 1st particle size,
internal region (0.75×
magnification), (b) 1st particle
size, cross-section (20× magnifi-
cation), (c) 2nd particle size, in-
ternal region (0.75× magnifica-
tion), (d) 2nd particle size, cross-
section (10× magnification), (e)
3rd particle size, internal region
(0.75× magnification), and (f) 3rd
particle size, cross-section (10×
magnification)
Environ Sci Pollut Res
Results and discussion
Biomass characterization
The chemical and energetic properties of the coffee husk are
shown in Table 1. The chemical and energetic characterization
of the coffee husk was discussed in our previous work (Setter
et al. 2020c). The calorific value of the coffee husks (18.50
MJ/kg) is within the range of values found for other wastes
(Erol et al. 2010). The volatile content of the coffee husks is
above 70%. Generally, agricultural wastes contain high per-
centages of volatiles, which facilitate ignition and increase
combustion, making biomass a highly reactive fuel
(Lubwama and Yiga 2017). The coffee husk had a high fixed
carbon content (19.36%). The high amounts of fixed carbon in
the lignocellulosic material of 15 to 25% promote slow burn-
ing of the solid product, increasing efficiency (Todaro et al.
2015).
The moisture content of the coffee husks is in accordance
with the parameters required for briquetting, which is between
8 and 12% moisture (Kaliyan and Vance Morey 2009). A low
water content reduces the specific energy consumption during
the milling of biomass (Mani et al. 2004). In addition, mois-
ture is an important factor in combustion because a high water
content in lignocellulosic waste reduces the calorific value,
hampering combustion (Zhang et al. 2012).
However, the lignocellulosic waste must contain a mini-
mum amount of moisture for the formation of densified prod-
ucts because water assists in the development of van der
Waals forces and hydrogen bonds by increasing the bond
strengths between particles (Kaliyan and Morey 2010; Okot
et al. 2018). The optimum moisture content varies for different
biomass types, so it is important to determine its value because
excess moisture can cause degradation of the material by mi-
croorganisms and reduction of the durability of the compacted
Fig. 3 Volumetric expansion of briquettes after compaction
Table 3 Mechanical compressive strength of coffee husk briquettes
Treatment Compressive strength (kPa)
(particle size)
1st 867 (122) a
2nd 889 (46) a
3rd 1795 (149) b
Means followed by same letters are statistically equal by Tukey test at 5%
of significance. Standard deviation in parentheses
material. In contrast, very low moisture content decreases the
plasticity of the particles and increases the friction during den-
sification (Ryu et al. 2008).
Lignocellulosic materials are mainly composed of three
biopolymers—lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, among
which lignin stands out as one of the main natural binders.
The lignin content of the coffee husks is 27.14%, higher than
those in other types of agricultural wastes (Adapa et al. 2009).
Raw materials with high lignin content are desirable for ener-
gy use. Lignin is also important in the compaction process
because with increasing pressure and temperature during com-
pression, the lignin plasticizes and acts as a binder between
particles (Križan et al. 2015). The chemical constitution of
lignin differs between different biomass types, and this affects
the temperature at which lignin plastifies (Whittaker and
Shield 2017). The typical vitreous transition temperature of
lignin may range from 50 to above 100 °C (Stelte et al. 2011).
Morphology of coffee husk briquettes
Stereoscopic images (cross section and interior) are obtained
for the coffee husk briquettes (Fig. 2). The cross-sectional
surfaces of the briquettes made with all particle sizes are rel-
atively smooth but with some loose particles (Fig. 2a). The
crushing of the particles in the inner region of the briquettes is
clearly visible due to the compaction pressure used. Briquettes
produced with particles larger than 1.8 mm and in the range of
1.8–1.2 mm present less compact regions. However, the inner
regions of the briquettes made with the particles smaller than
1.2 mm are compacted well. Smaller particles settle better than
Table 4 Durability of
briquettes subjected to Treatment Abrasion resistance (%)
the abrasion test (particle size)
1st 95.05 (0.92) a
2nd 97.70 (0.85) a
3rd 97.25 (0.21) a
Means followed by same letters are statis-
tically equal by Tukey test at 5% of signif-
icance. Standard deviation in parentheses
 Environ Sci Pollut Res

larger particles during compacting (Ndindeng et al. 2015).

The pressure applied during briquetting rearranges the parti-
cles and, as the pressure increases, causes elastic and plastic
deformation, filling the voids and consequently increasing the
mechanical strength and density of the briquettes (Carone
et al. 2011; Tumuluru et al. 2011).

Physical properties of coffee husks and briquettes

The data on the bulk density of the coffee husk parti-

cles and the apparent density of the coffee husk bri-
quettes are presented in Table 2. The bulk density of
the coffee husk significantly increases as the particle
size decreases. The bulk density of the lignocellulosic wastes
can be maximized by reducing the particle size, improving the
durability of the material due to the increased contact area
between the particles (Adapa et al. 2011).
The increase of the surface area facilitates heat transfer,
forming strong bonds between particles and consequently im-
proving the strength and density of the product formed
(Carone et al. 2011). The authors Zhang and Guo (2014) in-
vestigated the effect of particle size on the properties of bri-
quettes made from Caragana korshinskii Kom and reported
that density, durability, and impact strength increased
with particle size reduction. In the present study, the
apparent density of the briquettes increases with the
reduction of the particle size; however, only the 3rd
particle size (particles smaller than 1.2 mm) significant-
ly differs from the other treatments. This difference may be
related to the increase in the surface area of the smaller parti-
cles. Smaller particles promote better accommodation during
compaction (Ndindeng et al. 2015), resulting in briquettes
Fig. 5 The mass loss during the combustion experiment of the briquettes
produced with different particle sizes
with higher apparent density, energy density, and mechanical
strength.
These results agree with previous studies on briquettes
made with rice straw (Rahaman and Salam 2017) and rice
husk and bran (Ndindeng et al. 2015), where briquettes pro-
duced with smaller particles presented higher apparent densi-
ty. The apparent density of briquettes is a relevant parameter
because the density influences the energy density, transport
costs, and storage capacity; thus, the higher the density is, the
better (Obernberger and Thek 2004). Generally, the density
range of compacted products is between 600 and 1300 kg m−3
(Ndindeng et al. 2015). However, Lim et al. (2012) state that
the optimum briquette density range is between 600 and
800 kg m−3. The values obtained in this study are above this

Fig. 4 Increase in the energy

density of briquettes relative to
the apparent density
Environ Sci Pollut Res
range, which may influence the combustion properties. The
volumetric expansion values of the briquettes during storage
do not significantly differ between the different particle sizes
in any measurement (Fig. 3).
This result is probably due to the similar initial moistures of
the batches at the beginning of compaction. However, the
volumetric expansion values found are lower than values re-
ported in other studies (Hansted et al. 2016). According to
Silva et al. (2015), the main factors related to the volumetric
expansion of compacted products are the initial moisture and
the chemical composition of the lignocellulosic material.
Volumetric expansion can decrease if the humidity is too
low because the compacted material expands by absorbing
moisture from the air (Li and Liu 2000; Moreno et al. 2016).
The structural components of the cell wall, hemicelluloses,
and cellulose have hydroxyl groups that provide chemical
sites where water molecules can bind and form hydrogen
bonds. Among these materials, hemicelluloses present a
higher water sorption capacity because lignin has little relation
to water absorption (Acharjee et al. 2011). The results of this
study are satisfactory because there is no significant volumet-
ric variation after compaction.
Mechanical properties
The compressive strength of the coffee husk briquettes is deter-
mined, and the results are shown in Table 3. The results obtain-
ed indicate that particle size affects the mechanical strength of
the briquettes produced with the 3rd particle size, significantly
differing from the others. The reduced particle size increases the
flow of internal binders (lignin, protein, and starch), improving
mechanical interlocking and solid bridges between particles
(Kaliyan and Morey 2010). Another reason the briquettes made
with smaller particles are more resistant is that with the reduc-
tion of the particle size, there is an increase in the points of
contact and a decrease in the distance between the particles,
making the bonds stronger (Sun et al. 2014). The mechanical
strength values of the briquettes obtained in this study are slight-
ly higher than the values reported in other studies (Muazu and
Stegemann 2015). The application of pressure and temperature
in the compaction process promotes the diffusion of the mole-
cules, reducing the empty spaces and forming solid bridges that
increase the bond between the particles and consequently the
strength of the briquettes (Kaliyan and Vance Morey 2009).
The drum test simulates the handling of the briquettes,
predicting the possible fines generated during transport
(Kaliyan and Vance Morey 2009). The drum test results pres-
ent the same trend as the mechanical compression test results
(Table 4). However, there are not significant differences
among the different treatments. This result indicates that the
particle size of the biomass does not affect this parameter. The
values obtained are satisfactory, showing that all the treat-
ments have good quality and low mass loss, that is, low
friability. Briquettes with high mechanical strength are desir-
able, as these briquettes reduce the risk of fines and cracks
during handling and transport. Thus far, there is not norm
establishing certified standards for briquettes; however, stud-
ies report that abrasion resistance above 80% is beneficial for
better briquette handling and use (Haykiri-Acma et al. 2013;
Antwi-Boasiako and Acheampong 2016).
Briquette combustibility and energy density
The energy density of the briquettes is shown in Fig. 4. The
energy density of the briquettes increases as the apparent den-
sity of the briquettes increases because in denser products,
there is more energy concentrated per unit volume, highlight-
ing the economic advantages of the biomass densification
process (Sette Jr. et al. 2018). This result demonstrates that
densification increases the energy density of coffee wastes,
contributing to the combustion process and reducing the costs
of briquette transport and storage.
Figure 5 shows the mass loss during the combustion exper-
iment of the briquettes produced with different particle sizes.
Over 20 min of testing, approximately 63.05% of the bri-
quettes of the 3rd particle size are consumed. The percent
mass consumed of the briquettes made with the 1st particle
size is 71.94% over 20 min and that of the second particle size
is 69.61%. The total masses consumed of the briquettes made
with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd particle sizes are 79.41%, 81.80%,
and 76.77%, respectively. Previous studies report that the
combustion time increases according to the density of the
compacted product, so denser briquettes present longer burn-
ing times (Rhen et al. 2007).
Conclusions
The reduction of the coffee husk particle size significantly in-
fluenced the apparent density and mechanical compressive
strength of the briquettes. The apparent density of the briquettes
correlated well with the mechanical and energy properties, with
higher densities promoting higher energy density and mechan-
ical strength, thus making these briquettes suitable as solid
fuels. Water absorption and durability did not differ significant-
ly among treatments; however, the briquettes had low hygro-
scopicity and high abrasion resistance, suitable for handling,
transport, and storage. The combustion of the briquettes was
found to be beneficial because compacted products occupy less
space within furnaces than does bulk biomass.
Acknowledgments The authors acknowledge the Brazilian institu-
tions CAPES (Federal Agency for the Support and Improvement
of Higher Education), CNPq (National Council for Scientific and
Technological Development), and FAPEMIG (Minas Gerais State
Research Foundation - APQ-00086-18) for their support of this research.

Authors’ contribution Carine Setter: investigation; methodology; data
curation; roles/writing–original draft; writing–review and editing. Carlos
Henrique Ataíde: visualization; writing–review and editing. Rafael
Farinassi Mendes: visualization; writing–review and editing. Tiago José
Pires De Oliveira: conceptualization; data curation; investigation; method-
ology; resources; supervision; writing–review and editing.
Funding This study was supported by Brazilian institutions CAPES
(Federal Agency for the Support and Improvement of Higher
Education), CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological
Development), and FAPEMIG (Minas Gerais State Research
Foundation-APQ-00086-18).
Data availability The data that support the findings of this study are
openly available on request.
Compliance with ethical standards
Competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing
interest.
Ethical approval and consent to participate Not applicable. We de-
clared that this manuscript does not involve researching about humans
or animals.
Consent to publish Not applicable.
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