Comparative comminution efficiencies of rotary, stirred and vibrating ball-mills for the production of ultrafine biomass powders

Plant biomass as a substitute for fossil oil is one of the most promising pathways to reducing environmental impact human activities. Ultrafine comminution plant materials can produce ultrafine powders suitable direct use in advanced-technology applications an engine, becoming sustainable powdered biofuel. However, extremely energy-intensive process, making it vital industry select efficient milling device biomass. Here, we comprehensively compared efficiencies three batch ball mills employable ultra-fine materials. First, led motion study estimate predominant mechanical stresses generated by each device. Two biomasses with contrasted physical properties were milled using devices achieve target particle size 20 μm. Milling times and process energy consumption recorded, distributions specific surface areas ground measured. The balls then based on several indicators efficiency, productivity processing speed. results show that input better utilized work attrition or combined attrition.