Pellet Binder Research Articles

Evaluation of the potential of pelletized biomass from different municipal solid wastes for use as solid fuel

Four different municipal solid wastes (dog manure, horse manure, apple pomace waste and tea waste) and an industrial by-product (NovoGro) were used to produce solid fuel pellets. The mixtures followed a raw material to NovoGro ratio of 50:1. The pellets diameters varied between 4 and 5 mm, and the average length was 20 mm. The dog manure, horse manure, apple pomace waste and tea waste pellets were denoted as DN, HN, AN and TN, respectively. The combustion characteristics of the pelletized fuels were investigated, such as total moisture, ash content, calorific value and ash fusion point, etc. The physicochemical properties were analyzed by using a number of analytical techniques including X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), X-ray diffraction spectrometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results of the mechanical, thermal and morphological properties show that the raw materials were effectively combined with the NovoGro binder; furthermore, the DN, HN and TN pellets exhibited excellent mechanical and thermal properties, including high calorific values (>16.30 MJ/kg), high resistance to mechanical shock (>99%), high volatile matter contents, optimal softening temperatures and optimal ash contents. However, the high K, Ca, and Si contents of the AN can form low-melting-point eutectics, which can cause slagging. Moreover, the AN materials had large particle sizes, and high cellulose and hemicellulose contents led to high total moistures, low softening temperatures and low calorific values. The AN was not suitable for use as a fuel. The results suggested that NG is an effective binder for pelletization of biomass and showed the feasibility of using municipal solid wastes for energy production.

Safety and efficacy of natural mixture of illite, montmorillonite and kaolinite for all animal species.

The additive under assessment is a natural mixture mainly composed of illite (~ 53%), montmorillonite (~ 16%) and kaolinite (~ 17%). In 2016, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) delivered an Opinion on the safety and efficacy of a natural mixture of illite, montmorillonite and kaolinite (MIMK). The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is safe for piglets and pigs for fattening at a maximum concentration of 20,000 mg/kg, and for cattle for fattening at a maximum concentration of 50,000 mg/kg. However, no conclusion could be drawn for all other species/categories. The Panel also concluded that the additive is efficacious at a minimum concentration of 50,000 mg/kg. Following this opinion, the European Commission gave the possibility to the applicant to submit complementary information in order to complete the assessment on the safety for all animal species and on its efficacy at a minimum concentration of 20,000 mg/kg. The applicant submitted a new tolerance study in piglets and an analysis of the previous EFSA opinion regarding poultry and milk‐producing animals. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive is safe for piglets and pigs for fattening at 50,000 mg/kg. The Panel concluded that the safe level (50,000 mg/kg) found for cattle for fattening could be extrapolated to minor growing ruminants. The conclusion could be extrapolated to dairy cows and minor ruminant species for milk production. The FEEDAP Panel confirmed that no safe concentration of MIMK in feed for chickens for fattening could be identified. No conclusions could be drawn for all the other animal species/categories. The additive is effective as a pellet binder and an anticaking agent at the lowest level tested of 5,000 mg/kg feed.

Does the Zeta Potential of an Iron Ore Concentrate Affect the Strength and Dustiness of Unfired and Fired Pellets?

ABSTRACTWe show how pelletizing additives affect the zeta potential, sedimentation and agglomeration behavior of a hematitic iron ore concentrate. When the additives stabilized the particle–water system—indicated by higher zeta potential, higher total suspended solids content and denser settled sludge—pellet strength increased and dustiness decreased. Conversely, when the additives destabilized the particle-water system—indicated by lower zeta potential, lower total suspended solids content and rarer settled sludge—pellets became weaker and dustier. Specifically, our results show that problems related to starch binders can be resolved using carefully selected dispersants, and starch-dispersant mixtures are better pellet binders than starch alone.In general, our results suggest that sedimentation and zeta potential tests may be effective techniques for understanding pellet–water–binder systems; organic dispersants are good alternatives to bentonite for making low-silica binders; and understanding surface properties and water chemistry of the balling feed is necessary to understand its agglomeration behavior. We believe that understanding the interactions between the balling feed minerals, pore water, and binder will become more important as balling feeds become finer and process waters more complex.

Characterization of iron ore pellets with dextrin added organic binders under different time and temperature conditions

In the present work, Dextrin is used as a binder for iron ore pelletization, as it’s free from Silica and Alumina. Green pellets were prepared by mixing of iron ore particles (-75 μm) with varying binder percentage (1 wt. % bentonite, 0.5 and 1 wt. % of dextrin) separately. The green pellets were first dried in air for 24 h and then in an electric oven at 383 K for 4 h. The dried pellets were fired at varying temperatures (1173, 1273, 1373, and 1473 K) and indurated for 1 and 2 h. The samples were characterized for physical (pellet size) and mechanical (compressive strengths, porosity and hardness) properties. Good quality pellets were prepared with organic binder, and which increases the compressive strength of dry and fired pellets. Strength results are matching with the bentonite binder pellets and it is well above the industrially acceptable limit (250 kg/pellet). Porosity of the fired pellets decreases with increasing temperature and induration time. The hardness of the pellet varies from surface to core of the pellet. Moreover, the influence of wear mechanism (based on collisions) on pellets and its characteristics of generated particle size distribution (PSD) have been investigated. It was noticed that the material loss during wear test decreases with increasing strength of the pellet. From PSD analysis, the coarse particles were revealed that the collisions are dominating during wear.

Pelletization Using Humic Substance-based Binder

ABSTRACTHumic substances exist widely in lignite coal as high molecular weight organic molecules. They can be used as binders in iron ore pelletization mostly in the form of salt, such as sodium humate and amine humate via extraction from lignite coal. It is worth determining if lignite can be used as a binder without extraction. As a composite binder of organic and inorganics, due to the combustion of humic substance, the strength of fired pellets made with humic substance-based binder decreases slightly. To compensate for this defect and make stronger pellets, cheap calcium bentonite was added into humic substance binder. In this study, a fluxed hematite concentrate was pelletized with various types of binders: lignite plus sodium hydroxide, calcium bentonite activated with modified humic acid (MHA), and MHA binder. Good quality pellets were obtained at optimal parameters. The results show that without extraction procedure, lignite plus sodium hydroxide can be directly used as a binder in pelletization of fluxed hematite; that calcium bentonite improves pellet strength when added to MHA; and that humic substance can partly replace calcium bentonite, reducing the dose of calcium bentonite.

Adsorption equilibria and kinetics of six pure gases on pelletized zeolite 13X up to 1.0 MPa: CO2, CO, N2, CH4, Ar and H2

The adsorption equilibria and kinetics of CO2, CO, N2, CH4, Ar and H2 on zeolite 13X were measured via the volumetric method at 293, 308 and 323K and up to 1.0MPa. Adsorption isotherms and the heat of adsorption were analyzed over a full range of pressures. Each experimental isotherm was correlated with Langmuir, Sips and temperature-dependent Sips models, with the deviations for each model being evaluated. The Sips model showed a smaller degree of deviation from the experimental data than the Langmuir model. The isosteric heat of adsorption sequence was H2<Ar<CH4≒N2<CO<CO2 along with surface loading. The experimental uptake curves were correlated with a non-isothermal kinetic model because the adsorption kinetics was controlled via heat generation and transfer. Adsorption rates of the gases on zeolite 13X were affected by the isosteric heat of adsorption, heat transfer rate and adsorption affinity. At the same temperature and pressure, the sequence of reciprocal of the effective diffusional time constant (D/RP2) revealed the following sequence: CH4≒N2<CO<CO2, showing pressure and temperature dependency. While the diffusion rates of CO and N2 were controlled via micropore diffusion, CO2 and CH4 were significantly affected by macropore diffusion due to high heat transfer resistance. Compared to experimental results between the powder and pellet forms of zeolite 13X, the zeolite pellet binders led to a reduction in adsorption capacity and heat of adsorption. However, the difference in adsorption kinetics was relatively minute.

Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of lignosulphonate as a feed additive for all animal species

Lignosulphonates are amorphous branched polymers of lignin, containing sulphonated covalently linked phenyl propane monomers, produced from the sulphite pulping of lignocellulosic biomasses. The calcium lignosulphonate, sodium lignosulphonate and magnesium lignosulphonate under assessment are considered together under the term lignosulphonate. Lignosulphonate is safe for chickens for fattening, laying hens, pigs for fattening and cattle for fattening at a maximum concentration of 10 000 mg/kg complete feed. A margin of safety cannot be identified. Therefore, this conclusion cannot be extended to all animal species/categories. No concern for consumer safety would arise from the use of lignosulphonate in animal nutrition. Lignosulphonate is not an irritant to the skin and eyes and is not a skin sensitiser. Exposure to dust by inhalation is considered a hazard. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) could not conclude on the safety of lignosulphonate for the environment. Lignosulphonate is effective as a pellet binder at a minimum level of 7 500 mg/kg feed.

Modified lignin for composite and pellet binder applications

Lignin is a naturally occurring polymer that is present in all vascular plants. It binds together the cell walls, thus being one of the main structural components of vegetable tissue. In this project, alkali and dealkali lignins have been chemically modified in order to incorporate reactive fragments for subsequent free radical co-polymerisation with n-butyl methacrylate, styrene, or divinylbenzene (DVB). The thermal properties of regular and modified lignins were assessed and compared. The cross-linking of modified lignins with DVB yields materials with properties suitable for applications as a pellet binder, as well as a bio-based resin for the preparation of biocomposites. The chemical modification of alkali and dealkali lignin has been verified by Raman and infrared spectroscopies. The thermo-mechanical properties of the final materials prepared have been assessed by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and are reported and discussed in this work.

Assessment of diet formulation strategies that improve crumble quality and poult performance

In previous research at West Virginia University, we found that a lignosulfonate pellet binder and 3% mixer-added fat (MAF) maintains feed quality while improving amino acid digestibility using a rooster model. The current study examined the effect of commercial turkey starter diets varying in amino acid density (AAD; normal or high) and manufacturing technique (MTECH; MTECH1 utilized 1% MAF + 0.5% sand and MTECH2 utilized 3% MAF + 0.5% binder) on commercial feed mill manufacture efficiency and d 10 to 40 poult performance. All diets were manufactured at a commercial feed mill and descriptive manufacture data was obtained demonstrating that MTECH2 maintained feed quality to that produced utilizing MTECH1. In addition, MTECH2 produced larger, more uniform crumbles. Diets were then randomly assigned to 1 of 16 pens containing 105 male 10-d-old Hybrid Convertor poults and fed until d 40 at a facility designed to mimic commercial grow-out. The highest average poult weights were achieved when poults were fed high-AAD diets manufactured utilizing MTECH2. This study demonstrates that MTECH2 has benefit in commercial turkey feed manufacture and feeding.

Pectin-based pellets for crayfish aquaculture: structural and functional characteristics and effects on redclaw Cherax quadricarinatus performances

Pectin is a promising candidate to be employed as binder for manufacturing pellets for crayfish feeding. In this study, the gelling properties of different types of pectin and their effects on Cherax quadricarinatus performances have been analysed. Pectins with different degree of esterification from apple and citrus were screened to select those with the best gelling properties to be employed in pellet manufacturing. Three pectins were selected: low esterification degree apple pectin (LEAP), low esterification citrus pectin (LECP) and high esterification degree apple pectin (HEAP). Scanning electron microscopy analysis, nutrient leaching and water uptake indicated that LEAP showed the best aggregating properties, followed by LECP and HEAP pellets. Cherax quadricarinatus performances were affected by the pectin type, with redclaw fed LEAP pellets showing the highest (P < 0.05) growth rate and amylase activity (P < 0.05) in the gastrointestinal tract. Altogether these results indicate that LEAP can be considered an excellent binder for feed pellets due to its gelling properties and its efficacy to improve growth and stimulation of digestive enzyme activity.

Effects of different types of solid feeds on health status and performance of Swiss veal calves. II. Basic feeding with whole milk

The objective of this study was to identify a suitable alternative to the current practice of complementing the feeding of whole milk with straw. The influence of 3 different solid supplements on the health and performance of Swiss veal calves was investigated during 3 production cycles of 90 veal calves each with a mean initial age of 42 days and a mean initial weight of 68.7 kg. The calves were housed in groups of 30 in stalls strewn with wheat straw without outside pen. Liquid feeding consisted of whole milk combined with an additional skim milk powder ad libitum. Groups were assigned to one of the three following experimental solid feeds provided ad libitum: Pellet mix (composition: oat hulls, corn [whole plant], barley, sunflower seeds, squeezed grains of corn, molasses and a pellet binder), whole plant corn pellets, and wheat straw as control. Calves of the straw group showed significantly more abomasal lesions in the fundic part as compared to the pellet mix and corn pellets groups (P < 0.001), the prevalence of insufficient papillae was highest (P < 0.05), and ruminating behavior was unsatisfactory. In contrast to the pellet mix and straw groups, performance of calves in the corn pellets group was good. Additionally, prevalence of abomasal fundic lesions was lowest (P < 0.001), and rumen development was best in calves of the corn pellets group (P < 0.01). As in part I, the results reveal that whole-plant corn pellets are most consistent with an optimal result combining the calves' health and fattening performance. Therefore, it can be recommended as a solid supplement for veal calves basically fed whole milk under Swiss conditions.

Analysis and Application of Oxalic Acid Modified Sodium Silicate Binder

A new type of pellet binder was prepared with oxalic acid as sodium silicate chemical modification agent in this paper, the compressive strength of which improved obviously. It improved from 0.6 KN/a to 2.4 KN/a, when the amount of oxalic acid is 8%. Meanwhile, carboxyl introduced at 390°C started carbonization decomposition, and pelletizing properties wouldn't be affected without new pellet impurity. The analysis shows that adding oxalic acid introduces carboxyl only in the binder, but doesn't generate new functional groups; Polymer layer formed by carboxyl adsorption on sodium silicate gel particle surface limits colloidal particle growing up, and plays roles of refining colloidal particle and improving the bonding strength.

Adsorption of lignite humic acid onto magnetite particle surface

Modified humic acid (MHA) binder based on lignite humic substances is a novel sort of promising organic binder for iron ore pellets. Humic acid (HA) is one of the main ingredients of MHA binder. Pure HA was firstly isolated from lignite and then adsorption of HA onto magnetite particle surface was investigated. The final results indicate that the adsorption of HA onto magnetite surface accords with Langmuir model well, and it is evidently influenced by the initial HA concentration and solution pH value. Adsorption depends on chemical interaction at pH values above the PZC (the pH where the Zeta potentials of minerals are zero) of magnetite, while electrostatic attraction and chemical interaction both contribute to the adsorption at pH values below the PZC.

Study on Compound Modification of Sodium Silicate

In this paper, two-component compound modifiers were used to modify sodium silicate, preparing a new type of inorganic-organic composite cold pellet binder consolidation. The dispersion of its formative adhesive films is good and the bonding ability is also high. By changing modifier ratio and addition, the information of pellet structure and composition was studied. The results showed that: when the compound modifier-component mass ratio is 1:1, adding the amount is 2%, the modified adhesive bond strength is higher, the production of pellets using compression strength up to 2.75KN / a, meeting the needs of blast furnace smelting.

Effect of improved pellet quality from the addition of a pellet binder and/or moisture to a wheat-based diet conditioned at two different temperatures on performance, apparent metabolisable energy and ileal digestibility of starch and nitrogen in broilers

The effect of a commercial pellet binder and/or moisture addition on pellet quality and performance, apparent metabolisable energy and ileal digestibility of starch and nitrogen of broilers fed wheat-based diets conditioned at two different temperatures was examined in this study. Broiler starter (d 1–21) and finisher (d 22–35) diets were formulated and subjected to one of the six following treatments: Treatment 1, basal diet conditioned at 60°C; Treatment 2, 3g/kg commercial pellet binder added to the basal diet prior to conditioning at 60°C; Treatment 3, 24g/kg moisture added to the basal diet prior to conditioning at 60°C; Treatment 4, 3g/kg commercial pellet binder plus 24g/kg moisture added to the basal diet prior to conditioning at 60°C; Treatment 5, basal diet conditioned at 90°C; Treatment 6, 3g/kg commercial pellet binder added to the basal diet prior to conditioning at 90°C. Among starter diets, the diet conditioned at 90°C with pellet binder had the highest gelatinised starch content followed by the diet conditioned at 90°C without pellet binder. Starter diet conditioned at 60°C with no pellet binder or moisture addition had the lowest resistant starch content compared to other dietary treatments. Finisher diets conditioned at 90°C without or with pellet binder had the highest gelatinised starch content. In starter and finisher diets conditioned at 60°C, moisture addition, individually or in combination with pellet binder, resulted in higher pellet durability index and pellet hardness compared to the diets without or with pellet binder. Starter and finisher diets conditioned at 90°C with pellet binder had the highest pellet hardness followed by the diets conditioned at 90°C without pellet binder. Steam-conditioning at 90°C, regardless of pellet binder addition, resulted in lower apparent metabolisable energy compared to all diets conditioned at 60°C. Dietary treatments had no effect (P>0.05) on the coefficient of ileal apparent digestibility of starch and nitrogen in finisher diets. During the starter period (d 1–21), pellet binder and/or moisture addition to the diets conditioned at 60°C had no effect (P>0.05) on performance parameters compared to the diet conditioned at 60°C with no pellet binder or moisture addition; however, pellet binder addition to the diet conditioned at 90°C increased (P<0.05) weight gain and feed intake and improved (P<0.05) feed per unit gain compared to the diet conditioned at 90°C with no pellet binder. During the finisher period (d 22–35), dietary treatments had no effect (P>0.05) on performance parameters. Over the whole trial period (d 1–35), birds fed the diet conditioned at 90°C without pellet binder had lower (P<0.05) weight gains than those fed the other dietary treatments. Overall, these results illustrate possibilities for high quality pellets to be manufactured through the addition of pellet binder and/or moisture without the need for high conditioning temperatures.

The bonding/strengthening mechanism of colemanite added organic binders in iron ore pelletization

The addition of boron compounds into pellet mix is proposed as a potential solution to overcome the insufficient compressive strengths of preheated and fired pellets produced with organic binders. Colemanite was tested as an alternative binder to bentonite either alone or in combination with some organic binders on magnetite pellets. The performances of the tested binders on pellet qualities: balling, wet pellet moisture content, drop number, compressive strengths and microstructure of pellets have been compared with the performances of reference bentonite binders. The results of the tests showed that the qualities of pellets are insufficient when organic binders and colemanite are used as binders alone. The former failed to provide sufficient preheated and fired pellet strengths, the latter failed in terms of wet and dry pellet quality. However, good quality wet, dry, preheated and fired pellets could be produced with the combination of these two binders. In addition, stronger pellets could be produced at lower firing temperatures like 1373K thanks to addition of colemanite. The bonding mechanism of colemanite containing pellets was examined by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the improved preheated and fired compressive strengths of colemanite-added pellets were due to the physical melting of colemanite at the contact point of magnetite grains during thermal treatment.

Pelletization of biochar from hydrothermally carbonized wood

AbstractHydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a pretreatment process for making a homogenized, carbon rich, and energy dense solid fuel, called biochar, from underutilized lignocellulosic biomass. Compared to raw biomass, HTC biochar is both more hydrophobic for better storage and more friable for better processing. In this pretreatment method, the biomass is treated with hot compressed water in the temperature range of 200–260°C. Hemicelluloses and water extractives react very quickly compared to cellulose. Lignin is relatively inert, resulting in a biochar with increased lignin content. Lignin acts as a binder for pelletization of pretreated lignocellulosic biomass. A hydraulic press with a controllable heated die was used for pelletization studies. The materials used to make pellets were raw loblolly pine and pine pretreated at different temperatures. The presence of solid bridges was observed in both raw pine pellets and HTC biochar pellets. Pellets made from HTC biochar exhibit favorable properties, including increased hydrophobicity, abrasion resistance, energy density, and mass density compared to pellets produced from raw pine or from dry torrefied pine. Pellets produced from biomass pretreated at 260°C have a volumetric fuel value 70% greater than pellets produced from untreated pine (38.8 MJ/m3 vs. 22.8 GJ/m3), a mass density of 1468 kg/m3, and a higher heating value of 26.4 MJ/kg. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2012

Effect of Blending with Additives on Mechanical Properties of PVC Architectural Membrane Material

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) architectural membrane material is a species of composite textile material. In comparison with other architectural membrane materials such as PTFE or ETFE, PVC membrane material is much cheaper, softer and easier construction feasibility. In this paper, g-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (KH-570), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and pellet binder (PB) were added into PVC paste, respectively. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, peel strength and tearing strength) of the coated fabric were investigated. It was found that the mechanical characteristics of PVC coated fabric were evidently affected by the addition of KH-570 in the coating paste. Both tensile strength and peel strength of PVC coated fabric were improved by the addition of KH-570. The addition of CPE into the coating paste had little effect on the mechanical properties of the coated fabric. The mechanical properties of the coated fabric were greatly improved by blending with PB, the peel strength enhanced 157% and the tensile strength increased 150N/50mm, but the tearing strength was largely reduced.

Effects of feed formulation on feed manufacturing and pellet quality characteristics of poultry diets

There is a wide array of factors, of which feed formulation is one, that can drastically affect both the quality of the feed produced as well as the parameters associated with the production of the feed in the mill. It has long been the practice in commercial broiler production to pellet the feed. It has been accepted at this point that feeding a diet with high quality pellets leads to better performance compared to the same diet with low quality pellets or in mash form. On the other hand, producing a high quality pellet is not the typical result in a large feed mill. In large mills, great quantities of feed must be produced in a short time frame and this is usually accomplished by running the mill at a high production rate and pelleting the diet through a relatively thin die. This usually results in decreased conditioning time and contact with the die for the diet, and consequently a lower quality pellet results, mainly because these are the two primary locations for the physiochemical reactions such as starch gelatinisation and protein denaturation that cause pellet binding. In this review we will discuss research pertaining to the use of different grains, by-products, minerals, pellet binders and most notably feedstuff constituents and their effects on both physical pellet quality as well as feed manufacturing variables such as energy usage and production rate when the data is available. The main focus will be given to research performed within the last decade. However, we have placed no restrictions on the research referenced based on publication date as there is always quality research with pertinent findings that have stood the test of time.

Laboratory study of an organic binder for pelletization of a magnetite concentrate

This study aimed to identify a way to reduce the use of bentonite in the pelletization of magnetite. With this goal, different combinations of binders were compared to bentonite by examining the quality of pellets obtained by balling drum agglomeration. Pellets were subjected to routine tests that included simple compression of the wet and dry 105°C pellets, dropping wet pellets to determine their ability to survive handling and submitting pellets to thermal shock to determine how they tolerate drying and preheating. The best results use sodium silicate (1.5%) as a binder and show that it is possible to pelletize iron ore without using bentonite.