Rheology of acid suspensions containing cassava bagasse: Effect of biomass loading, acid content and temperature

[EN] Understanding the characterization and rheological behavior of acid suspensions of cassava bagasse provides essential information for the design of conversion processes. Samples with different cassava bagasse concentrations (0-10% w.w-1), phosphoric acid (0-10% w.w(-1)) at temperatures between 278.13 and 318.13 K were submitted to steady-state flow over a wide range of shear rates (1-265 s(-1)). The biomass particles had considerable residual starch (similar to 50% db), low lignin content and adequate particle size (<200 mu m) for the conversion process. Flow curves were well-fitted to the Herschel-Bulkley model, presenting a Newtonian domain at low solids and acid content and a non-Newtonian behavior with noticeable yield stress and shear-thinning characteristic (n < 1) at above 6% of cassava bagasse. Resistance to flow increased as the solids loading and acid content increased. Temperature dependence could be expressed as a function of an Arrhenius-type equation with good accuracy of fit. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.