Wheat straw pellets enhanced with additives for improved bioenergy quality
Australian researchers optimize biomass pelletization process
image: Australian Researchers Optimize Biomass Pelletization Process
Credit: School of Agriculture and Environmental Science, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
In a bid to enhance the efficiency and quality of biomass energy, a team of researchers led by Bidhan Nath from the University of Southern Queensland has made significant strides in the pelletization of wheat straw. The study, published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, focuses on the impact of mixing additives with wheat straw for pellet production, a process that could revolutionize the way agricultural waste is managed and utilized.
The team manufactured seven types of pellets with different additive combinations, evaluating their quality characteristics and relationships. Using a laboratory hammer mill and pellet mill, they found that the addition of materials such as sawdust, corn starch, bentonite clay, and biochar significantly improved the pellets' dimensional stability, durability, and tensile strength. Notably, the heating value increased from 17.02 to 20.36 MJ/kg, a substantial boost for energy output.
The study highlighted that the combination of 60% wheat straw with 10% sawdust, 10% corn starch, 10% bentonite clay, and 10% biochar resulted in the optimal pellet performance. These pellets not only met but exceeded the quality standards set by the European Pellet Standard (EN plus 2015), with the exception of ash content, which was higher than recommended. This suggests that further research is needed to reduce ash content while maintaining pellet quality.
The findings are significant as they provide a sustainable solution for managing agricultural waste, particularly in developing countries like Bangladesh, where biomass energy consumption is high. The research also offers valuable insights for the industrial-scale production of biomass pellets, potentially reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels.
The study was supported by the National Agricultural Technology Program Phase-II, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC), and the University of Southern Queensland. The research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on biomass densification and its role in sustainable energy production.