Pelletizing Properties of Wheat Straw Blending with Rice Straw

Mixing different types of biomass materials to achieve better pelletizing properties is a potential method to improve the biomass pelletizing process. In this study, experiments were carried out with a single pellet unit to obtain the pelletizing properties of wheat straw blending with rice straw. The effects of the temperature, pressure, moisture content, blending proportion, and particle size on specific energy consumption, pellet density, and compressive strength were investigated. The experimental data were processed by the methods of regression analysis and variance analysis, and regression models were finally built. On the basis of these models, effects of each factor on specific energy consumption, pellet density, and compressive strength were studied considering the interaction between other factors. Finally, optimal conditions for the pelletizing process presented in this study were obtained.