Laboratory-scale production of biofuel pellets from electron beam treated Scots pine (Pinus silvestris L.) sawdust

The results showed that the free fatty and resin acid content in the sawdust initially decreased with increasing EB doses but at the highest EB doses it increased. The total content of extractives however initially increased and then decreased with increasing EB dose. Pellets made of EB treated sawdust had a significantly (at 95% confidence level) higher density and compressive strength than pellets made from untreated sawdust. EB treated sawdust behaved similarly to stored (mature) sawdust as a pellet raw material. Thus, EB treatment opens the possibility for controlled ageing (maturation) of pellet raw materials.