Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0374-8554

Date Available

3-21-2023

Year of Publication

2023

Degree Name

Master of Science in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (MSBiosyAgE)

Document Type

Master's Thesis

College

Engineering

Department/School/Program

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

First Advisor

Dr. Joshua Jackson

Abstract

The production of cannabidiol (CBD) from the floral material of Cannabis sativa L.is of great interest to the hemp industry. The low bulk density oh hemp floral material presents challenges in terms of storage and handling. To improve handling and storage characteristics, both intact (pre-extraction) and supercritical CO2 extracted hemp floral materials were pelletized. Intact floral material (BaOx) was passed through a hammer mill with a 5 mm screen; while, extracted floral material (Hawaiian Haze) was ball milled through a 60 mesh (250 microns) prior to extraction. Pelletization was conducted using a 3.7 kW pilot scale flat ring pellet mill. Prior to pelletization the floral material was condition to 10, 15, and 20% moisture content (MC). Across all initial MC, extracted floral pellets significantly increased pellet durability by 3%, elevated pellet yield by 4%, and increased bulk density by 14% when compared to intact floral pellets. However, extracted floral pellets required 3.6-fold more kWh/Mg of pellets produced and generated pellets at a 75% decreased rate when compared to intact floral material. The most desirable pellets were those made from the extracted material with 10% MC and the intact material with 15% MC.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2023.039

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