Characteristics of Plant Tissue to Form Pellets

摘要

Size, shape, density, and structural characteristics of ground particles of artificially dried alfalfa as a model plant were studied. The particle size distribution was best described by a log-normal curve. Surface area of the particles measured by BET using nitrogen sorption were significantly different from the values calculated following the ASAE S319.2 procedure. The structure of the particles as observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) correlated well with their size distribution. The compression and compaction characteristics of the grind to form pellets were also studied. Pesults showed that the grind which was easily compressible produced pellets with higher tensile strength.