Properties of biomass powders resulting from the fine comminution of lignocellulosic feedstocks by three types of ball-mill set-up

Background: Lignocellulosic biomass has many functionalities that hold huge potential for material, energy or chemistry applications. To support advanced applications, the must be milled into ultrafine powder to increase reactivity. This milling unit operation needs fully mastered deliver high-quality standard end-products. Here we studied relationship between characteristics of starting lignocellulosic plant material and properties resulting in different ball-mill process routes. Methods: Two biomasses (pine bark wheat straw) with contrasted compositional mechanical were using three set-ups delivering balances impact force attrition force. The powders analysed particle (size, agglomeration extent, shape) flow (compressibility, cohesion) a dynamic rheometer. Results: Pine is more amenable fast size reduction than fibrous straw. pine appear less compressible but much cohesive straw due shape, density composition factors. mill set-up working by as dominant (vibratory ball mill) produced mix large, elongated particles higher amounts fines it acts mainly erosion, being prone agglomerate abundance fines. (rotary evenly distributed sizes shapes. preferential fragmentation mechanism. Conclusions: attrition-dominant yields dispersed shapes poorest properties, while impact-dominant agglomeration-prone powders. concomitant forces (stirred produces better reactivity compared rotary vibratory mills.