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A Review on the Effects of Pretreatment and Process Parameters on Properties of Pellets

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  • Wentao Li

    (College of Engineering, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
    Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA)

  • Mingfeng Wang

    (College of Engineering, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China)

  • Fanbin Meng

    (College of Engineering, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, China)

  • Yifei Zhang

    (Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Green Agriculture in Northeastern China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Daqing 163319, China)

  • Bo Zhang

    (College of Engineering, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China)

Abstract

The development and utilization of biomass can not only address the demand for low-carbon energy and reduce environmental pollution, but can also facilitate the achievement of carbon neutrality. However, there are many factors justifying the case for low utilization of agricultural residues. These factors could be well controlled by producing top-quality pellets. Production of pellets is generally accompanied by the problems of high energy consumption and serious mold wearing. To eliminate these deficiencies, pretreatment has attracted scholars’ attention. In this review, the effects of four pretreatments on the properties of pellets were assessed. Thermal pretreatment can improve the hydrophobicity of pellets, and optimize their properties, while degradation of diverse extractives is noteworthy. Hydrothermal pretreatment improves the physical properties of pellets, through the increase of polar functional groups on the surface of the biomass. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting produces pellets under low pressure without a heating process; however, it is still not applied to large-scale production. Supercritical fluid extraction can achieve the graded utilization of extracts and bioactive substances in biomass, and the residues can be subsequently utilized as pellet feedstock. Mild hydrothermal treatment is a promising approach to improving the quality of agricultural pellets. Additionally, the effects of process parameters on the physical and chemical properties of pellets should be systematically analyzed.

Suggested Citation

  • Wentao Li & Mingfeng Wang & Fanbin Meng & Yifei Zhang & Bo Zhang, 2022. "A Review on the Effects of Pretreatment and Process Parameters on Properties of Pellets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-23, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:19:p:7303-:d:933460
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