Agglomeration of acacia mangium biomass

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of temperature (T), moisture content (MC) and particle size (x) on Acacia mangium biomass and also to find the optimal conditions of the densification process for producing tablet with high density. Acacia mangium biomass was compressed in load cell by hydraulic piston press with 25 mm diameter. Effect of independent variable, including temperature (20 oC to 120 oC), moisture content conditions (5.1 wt. % and 18.1 wt.% in the case of x < 1mm, and 5.3 wt.% in the case of x < 2 mm) were investigated. The results showed that at constant pressure, increasing temperature (T) resulted in higher density of tablets and also increasing moisture content resulted in higher density of tables. Tablets made from raw material with smaller particle size have lower strength than those made from material with larger particie size.