2.2.3. Pelletization of Hydrochar with Corn Stover

Samples (LAF, ORG hydrochar, and hydrochar–LAF mix) were pelletized using a 24 ton benchtop single-press pellet press (Across International, model # MP24A, Livingston, NJ) (an image of the pellet press can be found in the supplementary information (Figure S3)). About 1.5 g of dry sample was powdered using mortar pestle to make it homogeneous. From the homogeneous powdered sample, 0.50 g of dry was taken out and put in the die sleeve of the 13 mm circular pressing die. A compressive force of 7.5 MT was applied at the top surface of the sample by the lever. The temperature was set at 90 ◦C (beyond the glass transition temperature for CS) [32] using a band heater and the holding time was set at 30 s for each pellet. Pellets were stored in sealed bags for further characterizations.
