A Review on Biomass Densification Systems to Develop Uniform Feedstock Commodities for Bioenergy Application

Journal Article · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EDT 2011 · Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/bbb.324· OSTI ID:1032881

Tumuluru, Jaya Shankar; Wright, Christopher T; Hess, J Richard; Kenney, Kevin L

Developing uniformly formatted, densified feedstock from lignocellulosic biomass is of interest to achieve consistent physical properties like size and shape, bulk and unit density, and durability, which significantly influence storage, transportation and handling characteristics, and, by extension, feedstock cost and quality. A variety of densification systems are considered for producing a uniform format feedstock commodity for bioenergy applications, including (a) baler, (b) pellet mill, (c) cuber, (d) screw extruder, (e) briquette press, (f) roller press, (g) tablet press, and (g) agglomerator. Each of these systems has varying impacts on feedstock chemical and physical properties, and energy consumption. This review discusses the suitability of these densification systems for biomass feedstocks and the impact these systems have on specific energy consumption and end product quality. For example, a briquette press is more flexible in terms of feedstock variables where higher moisture content and larger particles are acceptable for making good quality briquettes; or among different densification systems, a screw press consumes the most energy because it not only compresses but also shears and mixes the material. Pretreatment options like preheating, grinding, steam explosion, torrefaction, and ammonia fiber explosion (AFEX) can also help to reduce specific energy consumption during densification and improve binding characteristics. Binding behavior can also be improved by adding natural binders, such as proteins, or commercial binders, such as lignosulphonates. The quality of the densified biomass for both domestic and international markets is evaluated using PFI (United States Standard) or CEN (European Standard).

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE - FE
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• OSTI ID: 1032881
• Report Number(s): INL/JOU-11-21008
• Journal Information: Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, Journal Name: Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 5; ISSN 1932-104X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
AMMONIA
BINDERS
BIOMASS
CEN
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
EXPLOSIONS
FIBERS
GRINDING
HEAT TREATMENTS
MOISTURE
PELLETS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PROTEINS
SHAPE
STEAM
STORAGE
biomass density
biomass pretreatment
biomass quality
densification energy
densification systems
solid fuel standards