Pelletizing of hydrochar biofuels with organic binders

摘要

In this study, the effect of four organic binders (protein, starch, lignin, and molasses) on woody biomass pellets was investigated. Properties of binder based pellets were evaluated for energy consumption, tensile strength, equilibrium moisture content, and combustion performance. Results indicate that the energy consumption of all binder based pellets was less than that of hydrochar pellets (45.38 J/g). In addition, starch and protein pellets exhibited better mechanical strength when binder content is 20% (3.07 and 3.40 MPa, respectively). Scanning electron microscope results indicate that starch and protein combined closely with hydrochar. Pellets with starch as the binder (20%) exhibited the highest equilibrium moisture content. Regarding combustion performance, low ignition temperature (T-i) was observed for all binder based pellets.