Particle Size Distribution and Physicochemical Properties of Pellets Made of Straw, Hay, and Their Blends

Abstract

The aims of the study were (a) the determination of the physicochemical characteristics of properties of pellets made of shredded residue from hay, wheat straw, and their blend at a ratio of 50:50, and (b) the determination of a mathematical model of pellet durability, using a response surface method. Tests were conducted according to applicable standards. As a result of thermal changes during the pressure agglomeration process, the material moisture content of pellets had slightly decreased versus raw three biomasses by 0.50% w.b. (wet basis) to a final value within the range of 5.56–5.87% w.b. The pellet properties of the blend were not adequately represented by the arithmetic mean of their components. Pellets made of hay, straw, and their blend, had DM (DM—dry matter) specific densities of 1034, 974, and 1102 kg m−3, respectively. The densities showed correlation with calorific values (r = 0.637), which were in the range of 16.07–17.00 MJ kg−1. The pellet durability coefficient correlated negatively with particle size and biomass moisture content. On the basis of previous conclusions, a non-linear mathematical model was formulated to account for the pellet durability coefficient relative to pellet moisture, and the relation of particle sizes and specific density to pellet bulk density.