Review of modelling the compaction of high aspect ratio agricultural feedstock materials

Agriculture feedstock materials have low bulk density and are difficult to handle and transport. Compaction can enhance the agricultural feedstock density and could be an effective solution for handling problems. To develop a better compaction process, mathematical modelling can help understand the compaction mechanism and can help predict the mechanical behaviour of feedstock materials. This paper presents a review on the energy consumption, applied pressure, as well as rheological models to predict their compaction behaviour and thus help improve compacts’ mechanical strength and reduce densification costs. In summary, energy requirement for densification of biomass depends primarily upon the pressure applied, holding on time and properties of the material. From the published literature, it could be found that the Cooper-Eaton and the Kawakita-Ludde models that considers particle rearrangement and deformation mechanism can fit pressure and density of feedstock materials during compaction. The parameters in the rheological models were correlated to the properties of the feedstock materials and can be used for optimization of machine and operational parameters.