Effect of Steam Treatment on Pellet Strength and the Energy Input in Pelleting of Softwood Particles

Abstract

Three whitewood species (spruce, Douglas fir, and pine) and one sample of bark (Douglas fir) were treated with high-pressure steam at 220C for 5 min. The steam treatment resulted in a reduction in average particle size by as much as 25%. Pine particles showed the largest reduction in size, while bark showed the least. Despite a slightly lower density, pellets made from treated particles had a higher mechanical strength (hardness) than untreated pellets. The mechanical energy required to compact steam-treated material was higher than the energy required to make pellets from untreated wood. Douglas fir required the least energy input among debarked samples. Spruce was the stickiest pellet to be pushed out of the cylindrical die. Bark pellets required the lowest energy to be compacted and pushed out of the cylindrical die. The overall conclusion is that steam treatment reduces particle size, reduces pellet density slightly, but increases the mechanical strength of the produced pellets. Steam treatment increases the energy input required to make pellets, and more energy is required to push pellets out of the die compared to pellets made from untreated biomass.