High quality biofuel pellet production from pre-compacted low density raw materials

In this study, pre-compaction was evaluated as a method to enhance stable reed canary grass pellet production. An experimental design of the factors raw material moisture content, steam addition, raw material bulk density, and die temperature was used to find production conditions for high quality p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Bioresource technology 2008-10, Vol.99 (15), p.7176-7182
Main Authors: Larsson, Sylvia H., Thyrel, Mikael, Geladi, Paul, Lestander, Torbjörn A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bioelectric Energy Sources
Biofuel production
Biological and medical sciences
Biomass
Biotechnology
Bulk density
Durability
Energy
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects
Moisture content
Multiple response optimization
Multivariate Analysis
Phalaris arundinacea L
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Summary:In this study, pre-compaction was evaluated as a method to enhance stable reed canary grass pellet production. An experimental design of the factors raw material moisture content, steam addition, raw material bulk density, and die temperature was used to find production conditions for high quality pellets by multiple linear regression modelling of responses. Response variables being modelled were variability of pelletizer current (as a measurement of uneven production), pellet bulk density, and pellet durability. By pre-compacting the raw material from a bulk density of 150 kg/m3 to 270kg/m3, continuous production could be obtained at minimum raw material moisture content of 13.8%. Bulk density and durability were both highly correlated to raw material moisture content, but showed different optima. Multiple response optimization was used to target process settings for production of high quality reed canary grass pellets with bulk density >650kg/m3 and durability >97.5%.
ISSN:0960-8524
1873-2976
DOI:10.1016/j.biortech.2007.12.065