Effect of the particle size on compaction of elephant grass biomass

Abstract

Due to its high productivity and easy adaptation to different ecosystems, forage grass Pinnisetum purpureum, popularly known as elephant grass, has a potential use for biomass production. The objective of work was to verify the influence of the increase of elephant grass biomass density on the briquetting process as a function of two grain sizes of the material. After grinding and sieve analysis, the material was divided into two groups: (i) a portion between 61 and 200 mesh, and (ii) a fraction between 21 and 60 mesh. The apparent density and diametral compression test of the briquettes were studied as a function of the granulometry of the material. The results showed the best condition for the production of elephant grass briquettes occurred with the granulometry between 61 and 200 mesh producing briquettes with higher density and mechanical resistance when compared to briquettes produced with a particle size between 21 and 60 mesh.