Energy Consumption of Herbaceous Biomass Bulk Densification

Abstract

In order to use biomass as an energy source, the challenge is that the original form of biomass material cost too much for handling and transporting. Densification is needed for cost effective handling, transportation, and storing. This study focuses on investigating the mechanical properties of energy crops during bulk densification. Switchgrass, corn stover, and Miscanthus samples were collected from fields and used in this study. The effects of chamber size, particle size/cut length, arrangement/orientation method, and harvesting time on specific energy of compressing bulk biomass crops were studied. Results indicated that larger compression chamber had significant lower specific energy consumption over the same volume reduction level. The particle length and particle orientation were also considered in this study. Results demonstrated that the parallel arrangement needed less compression energy; and the biomass with shorter particle sizes had higher energy consumption than those longer ones. Energy consumptions of the biomass harvested in different seasons were not significantly different for Switchgrass but found to be significant for corn stover.