A comparison of liquid binders for drum granulation of biochar powder

Wet drum granulation of biochar using binder solutions of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, molasses and ammonium nitrate was investigated to compare granule characteristics to better understand how liquid binder solution affects the granulation of biochar into a soil amendment. The biochar granules we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Powder technology 2020-05, Vol.367, p.487-496
Main Authors: Briens, Lauren, Bowden-Green, Breanna
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ammonium
Ammonium nitrate
Binders
Biochar
Charcoal
Granular materials
Granulation
Granule characterization
Methylcellulose
Molasses
Soil amendment
Syrups & sweeteners
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Summary:Wet drum granulation of biochar using binder solutions of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, molasses and ammonium nitrate was investigated to compare granule characteristics to better understand how liquid binder solution affects the granulation of biochar into a soil amendment. The biochar granules were free flowing and approximately spherical with a significant yield between a size range of 1 to 4 mm. The binder concentration, total binder solution volume and drum rotational speed of the drum all affected the yield of granules within this size range. The binder concentration and volume of binder solution affected attrition resistance with molasses binder solution providing the most resistance. The results demonstrated that biochar can be granulated using wet drum granulation with all three binder solutions. [Display omitted] •Drum granulation can be used to form granules of biochar.•The granulation mechanism depends on the hydrophobic interaction between the liquid binder solution and the biochar.•Binder concentration, total binder solution volume and drum rotational speed affect yield of granules.•Granules made with molasses solution binder had the highest resistance to attrition.
ISSN:0032-5910
1873-328X
DOI:10.1016/j.powtec.2020.03.065