Pelletization of Camellia oleifera Abel. shell after storage: Energy consumption and pellet properties

Camellia oleifera shell (CAS) was stored under three temperature and relative humidity conditions (15 °C-50%, 35 °C-50% and 35 °C-80%) for 32 days, and subsequently compressed into pellets to investigate the influence of storage on pelletization and pellet properties. The characteristics of stored CAS, energy consumption during pelletization, and pellets' properties (density, Meyer hardness, pyrolysis kinetics and combustion behaviour) were analyzed. After storage, the hemicellulose content of the CAS was decreased slightly, and thus increased water resistance. The stored CAS was more easily pyrolyzed, and exhibited higher stability towards combustion. In addition, lower and more-stable energy was required for the stored CAS to produce pellets with higher single pellet density and strength, compared with that required for the control CAS. Therefore, the storage process is conducive for improved pelletization and pellets' properties in industrial applications.