**5. Conclusions**

Based on the findings in the present research, the following conclusions were drawn:


6. The future work should be focused to understand the pelleting characteristics of high mositure pine residue, switchgrass, and blends of pine and switchgrass in a pilot scale ring die pellet mill. Evaluate how the pelleting process variables impact the physical properties, proximate and ultimate composition, and energy properties.

**Acknowledgments:** This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under DOE Idaho Operations Office Contract DE-AC07-05ID14517. Accordingly, the U.S. Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the U.S. Government retains a nonexclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript or allow others to do so, for U.S. Government purposes. The author would like to thank the project partners Genera Bioenergy, Vonore, TN, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN Auburn University, Auburn, AL and Herty Advanced Biomaterials, Savannah, GA, USA for providing 3/16-inch grind switchgrass and 2-inch top pine residue samples for pelleting tests. The author also wants to thank Matt Dee, Research Engineer and Craig. C. Conner, retired INL employee, for supporting the experimental work.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.

**U.S. Department of Energy Disclaimer:** This information was prepared as an account of work sponsored by an agency of the U.S. Government. Neither the U.S. Government nor any agency thereof, nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights. References herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the U.S. Government or any agency thereof. The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Government or any agency thereof.
