Effects of the biomass moisture content and pelleting temperature on the pressure-induced agglomeration process

Lisowski, A.; Dąbrowska, Magdalena; Ostrowska–Ligęza, Ewa; Nawrocka, Agnieszka; Stasiak, Mateusz; Świętochowski, Adam; Klonowski, J.; Sypuła, Michał; Lisowska, Barbara

doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2017.10.029

Cited by 33 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The fact that barked sawdust had less volatile material was reported by Feng et al [86]. This can be attributed to the presence in the bark of significant amounts of lignin and extracts [29,37], which have a slow devolatilization rate [87], occurring in higher temperature ranges than those recorded during pelleting [88,89]. It is known that volatile matter takes part in the combustion process of biomass, directly affecting the performance and physical stability [50,84].…”

Section: Immediate Analysismentioning

confidence: 81%

The Bioenergetic Potential of Four Oak Species from Northeastern Mexico

Núñez-Retana

Wehenkel

Vega-Nieva

et al. 2019

Forests

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Lack of knowledge regarding the fuel quality of diverse tree species prevents their use. Furthermore, the potential use of wood with the bark of different tree species for pellet production is still relatively unexplored in the scientific literature. In Mexico, the sawdust of Quercus genus (oak) is underutilized, despite it being an important forest resource, due to some anatomical and technological characteristics. The sawdust of Quercus with bark is also considered to have a low economic value. The objective of this study was to analyze the energy characteristics of barked and debarked Quercus sideroxyla, Q. rugosa, Q. laeta, and Q. conzattii in order to evaluate their potential for pellet production. Granulometric distribution, bulk density, proximal analysis, and calorific value tests were carried out. The sawdust of the four tree species studied was in accordance with the limits established by the standard EN 14961-2. Sawdust with a particle size of 0.425 mm had the highest percentage of retained mass (30.33%) (p < 0.05) in the granulometry test. There were no statistical differences in granulometry (p > 0.05) between barked and debarked sawdust for all Quercus species. Barked sawdust presented higher bulk density (p < 0.05) than debarked sawdust (246 and 224 kg/m3, respectively). The moisture content did not show statistical differences (p > 0.05) between barked and debarked sawdust. The volatile material was higher (p < 0.05) in debarked sawdust (88.7%) than in barked sawdust (85.0%). The ash content was below 0.5%. The fixed carbon was higher (p < 0.05) in barked sawdust (14.6%). The calorific value was higher (p < 0.05) in barked sawdust and for the Q. rugosa species (19.5 MJ/kg). The results suggest that the oak species analyzed, both barked and debarked, showed good potential for pellet production. Future studies should quantify fuel quality for a variety of diameter distributions, and analyze pellet mechanical properties and ash slagging risk.

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Section: Immediate Analysismentioning

confidence: 81%

The Bioenergetic Potential of Four Oak Species from Northeastern Mexico

Núñez-Retana

Wehenkel

Vega-Nieva

et al. 2019

Forests

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“…The increase in temperature caused changes in the physicochemical properties of the lignocellulosic compounds of WS, leading partially to the decrystallisation of particles. At higher MC , this caused a shift of the glass transition temperature towards lower values [ 27 ]. The moisture effect vs. temperature was more visible for pure WS.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterisation of Wheat Straw Pellets Individually and in Combination with Cassava Starch or Calcium Carbonate under Various Compaction Conditions: Determination of Pellet Strength and Water Absorption Capacity

2020

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This study aimed to optimise the production conditions of wheat straw (WS) pellets and pellets with the additives of cassava starch (CS) or calcium carbonate (CC) based on the criteria of pellet strength and water absorption by crushed pellets. The pellets produced using a 2–10%-wt/wt additive ratio, material moisture of 10–30% w.b., die height of 66–86 mm, and material temperature of 78–108 °C were tested. The influence these factors on the strength parameters of pellets was different than on the water absorption by the crushed pellets. The pellets made of WS blended with CC additive were characterised by better strength parameters and the compressed pellets were characterised by better water absorption than those with CS. High and positive correlation among specific pellet compression work, elasticity modulus for pellet compression, and tensile strength values were observed. As the strength parameters of pellets showed high correlation with single pellet density, for the consistency of conclusions, the optimal conditions for pellet production were assumed based on the density. For optimal conditions at 4% wt/wt additive ratio, 23% w.b. material moisture, 78 mm die height, and 80 °C material temperature, the specific pellet compression work was 3.22 mJ·mm−2, elasticity modulus was 5.78 MPa, and maximum tensile strength of the pellets was 2.68 MPa; moreover, the water absorption by crushed pellets amounted to 2.60 g H2O·g−1 of dry matter.

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“…The heat from the hot die diffuses directly to the nearest material particles and because of propagation enhanced by particle moisture (30% wb), it spreads radially in the agglomerate. The diffusion gradient depends on the type of material and water content in the material, which reduces the glass transition temperature limit [ 29 ]. Therefore, there is an enhancement in the effects favouring the developed friction and transformations of lignocellulosic compounds, which are thermoplastic polymers.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Fraction Particle Size of Pure Straw and Blends of Straw with Calcium Carbonate or Cassava Starch on Pelletising Process and Pellet

et al. 2020

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The aim of this study was to investigate the pressure agglomeration process of wheat straw (WS) and the blends of WS with calcium carbonate (CC) or cassava straw (CS) with a ratio of 6% wt./wt. from seven separate fractions with sizes in the range of 0.21–2.81 mm. The agglomeration was performed at a moisture of 30% wb and a material temperature of 78 °C, with a dose of 0.1 g, in a die of diameter 8 mm and height 80 mm. The effects of the process were evaluated based on the compaction parameters and the pellets’ density, tensile strength, and water absorption. The incorporation of additives into the WS improved the pellet process and quality. Refined results were achieved after adding CC, as compared to those achieved after adding CS, and the preferred particle size was in the range of 1.00–1.94 mm. This was because, under the given conditions, the back pressure in the die chamber significantly increased, allowing the achievement of a single pellet density of 800 kg·m−3. The pellets were resistant to compressive loads and cracked only at tensile strength of 6 MPa and a specific compression work of 6.5 mJ·mm−2. The addition of CC to the WS improved the strength of the adhesive and the cohesive bonds between the particles. The water absorption for the uncrushed pellets was considerably less than that for crushed pellets, which results in the safer storage of uncrushed pellets and excellent moisture absorption of crushed pellets. The addition of CC to the WS offers benefits in the form of pellet strength with a high water absorption capability. Notably, a study of crushed pellet litter under broiler rearing conditions and an analysis of the operational costs of using WS additives are required for implementing this study.

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Effects of the biomass moisture content and pelleting temperature on the pressure-induced agglomeration process

Cited by 33 publications

References 17 publications

The Bioenergetic Potential of Four Oak Species from Northeastern Mexico

The Bioenergetic Potential of Four Oak Species from Northeastern Mexico

Characterisation of Wheat Straw Pellets Individually and in Combination with Cassava Starch or Calcium Carbonate under Various Compaction Conditions: Determination of Pellet Strength and Water Absorption Capacity

Influence of Fraction Particle Size of Pure Straw and Blends of Straw with Calcium Carbonate or Cassava Starch on Pelletising Process and Pellet

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