zeta potential and its effect on compaction of biomass fuel logs

To reduce or eliminate the amount of binder used in making fuel logs or pel lets, bonding mechanisms between particles need to be fully explored, zeta potential plays an important role in the chemical properties of the interfa ce between solid and liquid. This study examined the zeta potential charact eristics of some biomass materials and the effect of zeta potential on comp action of biomass materials. The tests showed that the zeta potential of th e biomass changes with water-contact time, concentration, temperature, addi tives, etc. It was found that adding polyethylene oxide (Polyox) decreases the zeta potential of biomass and improves the strength of compacted biomas s logs. Therefore, monitoring and controlling the zeta potential of biomass mixture may be helpful to compact stronger biomass logs without using bind er. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.