Characterization of sugarcane bagasse powders

Sugarcane bagasse is a promising renewable lignocellulosic feedstock. Hence, proper characterization of bagasse powders is important for the development of novel technologies based on this resource. In this work, bagasse powders are prepared by sieve fractionation followed by cutting milling and rotor milling (which acts by impact, shear, and friction). The generated powders are characterized by techniques commonly applied to other particulate systems, namely scanning electron microscopy, light scattering particle sizing, and nitrogen adsorption. Particle size distribution, envelope density, specific surface areas, and effective cell wall thickness are determined. Results obtained from different techniques are compared. Finally, the applicability of the analytical techniques to sugarcane bagasse powders is discussed.

Sugarcane bagasse powders were produced by milling and characterized by light scattering particle sizing and nitrogen adsorption. The properties measured by the different techniques are compared, including a comparison of adsorption and geometric (from light scattering) surface areas. bagasse surface areas can be divided in two contributions: original surfaces facing cell lumina and novel surfaces created by milling.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Sugarcane bagasse is a promising renewable feedstock.
► Bagasse particle size reduction is desirable for development of technologies using this feedstock.
► Bagasse particulate characterization includes particle size distribution, specific surface area, and envelope density.
► Bagasse surface areas can be divided in original surfaces facing cell lumina and novel surfaces created by milling.