Application of a concentric vortex-cell biomass furnace to grain drying

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5282772

Mwaura, E N

A concentric vortex-cell furnace (CVCF) with a maximum heat output of 690 kW was built and incorporated in an in-bin counterflow (IBCF) corn dryer with an hourly capacity of 3 m/sup 3/ at an initial grain temperature of 10/sup 0/C, a drying temperature of 71/sup 0/C, and corn dried from 25% to 15.5% moisture content (wet basis). The system was tested using wood chips and corncobs. Experimental tests included: (1) fuel consumption and drying capacity, and (2) corn contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. The results were compared with the performance of a propane (LP) fueled system. The results demonstrate that the CVCF biomass furnace is a technically viable alternative to conventional fossil fuel burners. The CVCF/IBCF system operates at about 70% efficiency in converting biomass fuels into energy for grain drying. There is no objectionable discoloration or objectionable odor in the corn dried with the CVCF/IBCF system. The grain contains no dangerous concentration levels of PAH or heavy metals. The operating costs (exclusive of labor and fixed costs) of the CVCF/IBCF system are 30 to 40% of the energy cost of the LP fueled system. The total break-even costs of the CVCF/IBCF system are about 20% higher than the total costs of the LP system (at 1983 prices) due to the high capital investment required to convert the LP system into a biomass system.

• Research Organization: Michigan State Univ., East Lansing (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5282772
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090400* -- Solid Waste & Wood Fuels-- (-1989)
AROMATICS
CEREALS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST
DRYING
ELEMENTS
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY SOURCES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL SUBSTITUTION
FUELS
FURNACES
GRASS
HYDROCARBONS
METALS
OPERATING COST
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PERFORMANCE
PLANTS
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
REFUSE DERIVED FUELS
SEEDS