Compaction of Corn Stover

Corn stover is an important feedstock for biomass conversion to produce renewable energy. One of the problems associated with the supply of corn stover to conversion plants is the delivery of feedstock at low storage and transportation costs. Corn stover has low bulk density and it is difficult to handle, store and transport. Experiments were conducted, where corn stover was compacted a in a piston cylinder with three pressures (5, 10, 15 MPa) at three moisture content levels (5, 10, 15% (wb)) to produce briquettes. The total energy requirement to compress and extrude briquette was in the range of 12-30 MJ/t. The briquette density was in the range of 650-950 kg/m3 increasing with pressure and biomass moisture. Moisture content and pressure had the significant effect on briquette density, durability and stability. Corn stover produced highly dense, more stable and durable briquettes at low moisture levels (5 and 10%) than at high moisture level (15%).