Binding mechanisms of corn stover and switchgrass in briquettes and pellets

Nalladurai Kaliyan, R. Vance Morey

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Corn stover and switchgrass are two important feedstocks considered for producing renewable fuels and energy in the U.S. Densification of these biomass materials into briquettes or pellets would help reduce the problems and costs of transportation, handling, and storage. The objective of this study was to investigate the binding mechanisms of corn stover and switchgrass in briquettes and pellets. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images of briquettes made using a roll press briquetting machine, and pellets made using a conventional ring-die pelleting machine were analyzed. The SEM images showed that the bonding between particles was created mainly through solid bridges. The solid bridges between the particles were made by natural binders in the biomass expressed during the densification process. UV auto-fluorescent images of briquettes and pellets further confirmed that the solid bridges were made mainly by the natural binders such as lignin and protein. It was found that activating (softening) the natural binders using moisture and temperature in the range of glass transition is important to make durable particle-particle bonding.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2008, ASABE 2008
PublisherAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Pages4388-4410
Number of pages23
ISBN (Print)9781605605364
StatePublished - Jan 1 2008
EventAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2008 - Providence, RI, United States
Duration: Jun 29 2008Jul 2 2008

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2008, ASABE 2008
Volume7

Other

OtherAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2008
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityProvidence, RI
Period6/29/087/2/08

Keywords

  • Binding mechanisms
  • Briquettes
  • Corn stover
  • Natural binders
  • Pellets
  • Switchgrass

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