Pelleting of Pine and Switchgrass Blends: Effect of Process Variables and Blend Ratio on the Pellet Quality and Energy Consumption

Tumuluru, Jaya Shankar

doi:10.3390/en12071198

Title: Pelleting of Pine and Switchgrass Blends: Effect of Process Variables and Blend Ratio on the Pellet Quality and Energy Consumption

Journal Article · Thu Mar 28 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · Energies

DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/en12071198· OSTI ID:1781043

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Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

The blending of woody and herbaceous biomass can influence pellet quality and the energy consumption of the process. This work aims to understand the pelleting characteristics of 2-inch top-pine residue blended with switchgrass at high moisture content. The process variables tested are blend moisture content, length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio in the pellet die, and the blend ratio. A flat die pellet mill was also used in this study. The pine and switchgrass blend ratios that were tested include: (1) 25% 2-inch top pine residue with 75% switchgrass; (2) 50% 2-inch top pine residue with 50% switchgrass; and (3) 75% 2-inch top pine residue with 25% switchgrass. The pelleting process conditions tested included the L/D ratio in the pellet die (i.e., 1.5 to 2.6) and the blend moisture content (20 to 30%, w.b.). Analysis of experimental data indicated that blending 25% switchgrass with 75% 2-inch top pine residue and 50% switchgrass with 50% 2-inch top pine residue resulted in pellets with a bulk density of > 550 kg/m³ and durability of > 95%. Optimization of the response surface models developed for process conditions in terms of product properties indicated that a higher L/D ratio of 2.6 and a lower blend-moisture content of 20% (w.b.) maximized bulk density and durability. Higher pine in the blends improved the pellet durability and reduced energy consumption.

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Research Organization:: Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Transportation Office. Bioenergy Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0006639; AC07-05ID14517

OSTI ID:: 1781043

Journal Information:: Energies, Vol. 12, Issue 7; ISSN 1996-1073

Publisher:: MDPI AGCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Pelletization of Sunflower Seed Husks: Evaluating and Optimizing Energy Consumption and Physical Properties by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) Cui, Xuyang; Yang, Junhong; Shi, Xinyu Processes, Vol. 7, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.3390/pr7090591	journal	September 2019
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Title: Pelleting of Pine and Switchgrass Blends: Effect of Process Variables and Blend Ratio on the Pellet Quality and Energy Consumption

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