A Review on Biomass Densification Technologie for Energy Application

Tumuluru, Jaya Shankar; Wright, Christopher T.

doi:10.2172/1016196

Cited by 37 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 123 publications

(155 reference statements)

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“…The motivation for pelleting include the heterogeneous structure [165] and the low bulk density (154 to 165 kg m -3 ) of woody biomass [166] which causes poor handling [165] and storing [167]. These can be overcome though densification [163,168]. The densification process can be categorised into three types, i.e., extrusion, briquetting and pelleting [168].…”

Section: Wood Pellet Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Production and characterisation of pine wood powders from a multi-blade shaft mill

Das¹

2023

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae

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Wood is an important raw material for the manufacture of consumer products and in achieving societal goals for greater sustainability. Wood powders are feedstock for many biorefining and conversion techniques, including chemical, enzymatic and thermochemical processes and for composite manufacture, 3D printing and wood pellet production. Size reduction, therefore, is a key operation in wood utilisation and powder characteristics, such as shape, particle size distribution and micromorphology play a role in powder quality and end-use application. While in a green state, the native chemical composition and structure of wood are preserved. Powders are commonly produced from wood chips using impact mills, which require pre-sized, pre-screened and pre-dried chips. These steps necessitate repeated handling, intermediate storage and contribute to dry matter losses, operation-based emissions and the degradation of the wood chemistry. This thesis investigated a new size reduction technology, known as the multi-blade shaft mill (MBSM). The MBSM performance was studied through the milling of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) wood using a designed series of experiments and through modelling with multi-linear regression (MLR) analyses. Light microscopy combined with histochemical techniques were used to investigate particle micromorphology and distribution of native extractives in powders. The aim was to evaluate the technical performance of the MBSM with relation to operational parameters, to characterise the produced powders and to evaluate the technology through comparison with impact milling. The results showed that the MBSM could effectively mill both green and dry wood. Produced powders showed distinct differences compared to those obtained using a hammer mill (HM). The specific milling energy of the MBSM was lowest for green wood and within the range of other established size reduction technologies. However, much narrower particle size distributions were observed in MBSM powders and they had significantly greater amounts of finer particles. Particles with high aspect ratio and sphericity were a characteristic of MBSM powders and this Production and characterisation of pine wood powders from a multi-blade shaft mill was true for wood milled above and below its fibre saturation point. MBSM powders from green wood showed evidence of higher specific surface area, larger pore volume and greater micropore diameter than those from HM powder. Preliminary microscopic examination suggested that cell walls in MBSM powders showed evidence of retaining their original native wood structure. Consequently, their extractive content appeared intact. This was in contrast to HM powder and it may reflect the differences between the two size reduction mechanisms. According to the produced MLR models, the results suggest that MBSM milling is more akin to a sawing process and opposite to that of impact-based mills.

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Section: Wood Pellet Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These can be overcome though densification [163,168]. The densification process can be categorised into three types, i.e., extrusion, briquetting and pelleting [168]. Pelleting of woody biomass is popular [165], and wood pellets are common secondary fuels for co-firing with coal in coal-fired boilers [163].…”

Section: Wood Pellet Productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Production and characterisation of pine wood powders from a multi-blade shaft mill

Das¹

2023

Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Sueciae

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“…These problems are solved to some extent by densification through the compaction of residues into high-density feedstock. Pelleting, briquetting, and extrusion processing are methods commonly used to achieve densification [34]. Densification increases biomass density by up to four times, resulting in a lower transportation cost, smaller required storage area, and less fine particle formation [35].…”

Section: Bulk Densitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Uganda’s Main Agri-Food Value Chain Wastes for Gasification

Olupot,

Mibulo,

Nayebare

2023

Energies

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Agricultural residues are a source of energy derived through various conversion processes. They are gaining attention as a solution to limited energy access in developing countries in which a majority of the population depends on agriculture for a living at a time when global population growth is outpacing the depreciation of conventional energy sources. This study characterized residues generated along the main agri-food value chains in Uganda for gasification by reviewing relevant literature and through field measurements and laboratory experiments. Maize, beans, cassava, banana, coffee, and sugarcane are the most important value chains, occupying 5.73 million hectares, and accounting for 40% of the country’s total area under cultivation. In terms of biomass residues, banana, maize, and sugarcane are the most feasible options, producing 4.18, 2.2, and 0.6 metric tons of biomass waste per ton, respectively. The bulk densities vary from 65.5 to 160 kg/m3, moisture content from 6.67 to 22.5%, and heating values from 12.6 to 16.74 MJ/kg for all residues. In terms of principal elements, oxygen has the highest proportion of 38.76–57.25% followed by carbon, 33.46–47.9%, and hydrogen 6%. The lignocellulosic composition is 23.46–41.38% hemicellulose, 9.9–55% cellulose, and 5.77–35% lignin. The three value chains have the potential to generate 172.2 PJ annually, which is enough to offset 50% of the cooking energy demands for Uganda. The main disadvantage of this is the low bulk density, which raises production costs and reduces conversion efficiency. Bulk density can be improved by densification through the compaction of residues. Given their composition and current utilization, maize stover, banana leaves, banana pseudo stems, and sugarcane tops are promising gasification feedstocks.

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“…Water acts both as a binding agent and a lubricant. The moisture present in the biomass facilitates starch gelatinization, protein denaturation, and fiber solubilization processes during extrusion, pelleting, or briquetting [6,8,12,14]. Water helps develop Van der Waals' forces by increasing the area of contact between particles, according to [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pellets with moisture content lower than 5 % can result in revenue loss for the pellet manufacturer, as they tend to break up, creating more fines during storage and transportation. Pellets with high moisture content can be subject to spoilage due to bacterial and fungal decomposition, resulting in significant dry matter losses during storage and transportation [14,17]. Steam-treated biomass is superior, as the additional heat modifies its physiochemical properties (gelatinization of starch, denaturation of protein) to such an extent that binding between the particles is significantly enhanced, resulting in improved densification quality [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Initial Moisture Content on the Production and Quality Properties of Solid Biofuel

et al. 2015

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Abstract. The moisture content of densified biomass is a limit parameter influencing the quality of the solid biofuel. It influences its calorific value, density, mechanical strength and dimensional stability as well as the production process of this biofuel. The paper deals with the experimental research of the effect of moisture content of densified material on the final quality of biofuel in the form of logs. Experiments based on the single-axis densification of spruce sawdust were realized by hydraulic piston press, where the densified logs were produced under room temperature. The effect of moisture content on the quality properties of the logs, including density, change of moisture, expansion and physical changes, were studied. The results show the necessary moisture ranges for producing good-quality logs. The experiments were evaluated and the moisture content of the tested material was optimized to achieve the optimum value for the best quality of the solid biofuel.

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A Review on Biomass Densification Technologie for Energy Application

Cited by 37 publications

References 123 publications

Production and characterisation of pine wood powders from a multi-blade shaft mill

Production and characterisation of pine wood powders from a multi-blade shaft mill

Characterization of Uganda’s Main Agri-Food Value Chain Wastes for Gasification

Effects of Initial Moisture Content on the Production and Quality Properties of Solid Biofuel

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