LAUSR

Intercropping (or polyculture) is gaining a lot of interest as it increases yields, allows better utilization of resources (water and nutrients), and provides better land management. The objective of this study is to understand the briquetting characteristics of woody and herbaceous biomass blends, which might result from intercropping. Tests were conducted on blends of lodgepole pine, switchgrass, and corn stover biomass using three hammer mill screen sizes (i.e., 4.8, 12.7, and 19.05 mm), three blend moistures (12%, 15%, and 18%, w.b.), and two‐ and three‐blend ratios (i.e., 1:1 and 1:1:1) using a pilot‐scale hydraulic briquette press. The briquette properties, such as unit and bulk density, durability rating after 5 days of storage (as they tend to attain stable density), and the energy consumption of the process were measured. The results indicate that moisture content of 12% and 15% (w.b.) and smaller hammer mill screen size of 4.8 mm increased the unit and bulk densities to >750 and >430 kg/m3 and moisture content (15% and 18% (w.b.)) and hammer mill screen size of 12.7 and 19.05 mm produced briquettes with durability rating values of >95%. The higher moisture content of 18% (w.b.) and the hammer mill screen size of 12.7 and 19.05 mm had the highest energy consumption. The proximate and ultimate analysis showed that energy content improved by blending lodgepole pine with both corn stover and switchgrass and also showed increased calorific value and reduced ash content. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs showed interlocking of particles and cracks in the briquettes. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd