ζ Potential and its effect on compaction of biomass fuel logs

To reduce or eliminate the amount of binder used in making fuel logs or pellets, bonding mechanisms between particles need to be fully explored. ζ potential plays an important role in the chemical properties of the interface between solid and liquid. This study examined the ζ potential characteristics of some biomass materials and the effect of ζ potential on compaction of biomass materials. The tests showed that the ζ potential of the biomass changes with water-contact time, concentration, temperature, additives, etc. It was found that adding polyethylene oxide (Polyox) decreases the ζ potential of biomass and improves the strength of compacted biomass logs. Therefore, monitoring and controlling the ζ potential of biomass mixture may be helpful to compact stronger biomass logs without using binder.