Influence of Binding Materials on the Main Quality Parameters of Biomass Pellets Produced from Corn Stover

Abstract

Biomass pelletization is recently growing as a relevant alternative for the utilization and management of corn stover. The production of high-quality corn stover pellets is the most important aspect to focus on. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using three types of binders in corn stover pelletizing process and on the quality properties (moisture content, water absorption capacity, ash content, energy content, unit density and durability index) of pellets produced. A pelletizing unit was developed and manufactured in a local workshop to produce durable and densified pellets, then the effect of three types of binders (protein, fiber and starch) were investigated. Corn stover was first chopped and pre-conditioned and then compressed into pellets inside the pelletizing prototype. The obtained results revealed that adding protein as a binder significantly improved the pellets’ quality parameters. The results revealed that pellets produced from corn stover mixed with protein as a binding agent had the best quality characteristics having the lowest moisture content of 10.9 %, the highest unit density of 15.8 kg m and the highest durability index of 99% compared with pellets produced from either starch or fibre or with pellets produced without a binding material (control).