Effect of Temperature, Compression Force and Mixing Ratio of Materials on the Mechanical Properties of Pellets Made from Rice Bran and Sugarcane Molasses

One of the best ways to use biomass is to convert them into a pellet that has more mass and energy per unit volume and makes it easier to use and transport. Various factors are involved in the process of pelletizing, which helps to optimize the process. In this study, the effect of temperature, compression force and mixing ratio were investigated on the mechanical properties of pellets made from rice bran and sugar cane molasses. The results showed that, except compression force and the interaction between the compression force and the temperature, other variables and their interactions have significant effect (p < 0.01) on the dependent variables. Mean comparison showed that increasing the amount of molasses in combination increased the compressive strength of the pellet in axial and radial direction. The highest compression strength was obtained at the ratio of 1 to 1.50 (rice bran to molasses) and 1300N compression force. The maximum bending strength of pellets was significant in all three ratios, and increasing sugar cane molasses increased the bending strength. Increasing the mold temperature and compression force increased the strength of the pellets in both axial and radial directions as well as their bending strength. Maximum density and drop resistance of pellet in the ratio of 1 to 1.65 (rice bran to molasses), compression force of 1300 N and temperature of 70 ° C were 1213 kg/m3 and 93.5%, respectively. Generally, in the pelletizing process the mixing ratio, compression force and temperature have an effect on the strength of the pellet.