Development of New Powdered Additive and Its Application for Improving the Paperboard Bulk and Reducing Drying Energy (I)-Analysis of Chemical and Physical Properties of Brewers Grain -

Abstract

Brewers grain is a byproduct of beer brewing and consists primarily of grain husks, pericarp, and fragments of endosperm. Although this material is consumed by animals and used as fertilizer, a large amount of brewers grain is simply discarded. Therefore, new methods for utilizing this fibrous resource should be pursued. In this study, we examined the potential utilization of brewers grain as an additive in the paperboard industry by determining the chemical composition of brewers grain and the physical properties of brewers grain powders after grinding with two types of grinders. We found that brewers grain had a lower holocellulose content and higher lignin content and intermediate ash content when compared to other biomass materials, and did not contain any contaminants that would interfere with the papermaking process. Particles had a higher fiber length, less fiber width, and narrower shape factor distribution when ground by a blender type grinder than by a pin crusher type grinder. The blender type grinder was concluded to make regular brewers grain particles appropriate for papermaking.