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Title: Research and evaluation of biomass resources/conversion/utilization systems (market/experimental analysis for development of a data base for a fuels from biomass model). Monthly technical progress report, August 1, 1979-September 30, 1979

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5698380· OSTI ID:5698380

The scope of the project is described in the Clarification Proposal which was sent to DOE on March 29, 1978. In that proposal, 15 tasks were designed to develop a linear programming model which will enable the energy manager to determine the most profitable mix of biomass resources and conversion processes to produce the desired fuel. The project includes a market analysis of the need for biomass derived fuels, and the regional availability of biomass resources on seasonal bases. Secondly, it includes development of biomass conversion profiles for 100 biomass materials including wood species, bagasse, sugar cane, wheat and rice straw, corn stover, and others. Conversion profiles will be developed from Thermal Gravimetric Analyses runs under various conditions of temperature and pressure and in the presence of catalysts. Gasification, pyrolysis, and direct combustion shall be the modes of conversion. An attempt will be made to develop biomass-to-fuel process models and to verify them using process development unit runs. Finally, a linear programming model shall be developed for selecting the most profitable combination of feedstocks and the conversion processes required to satisfy fuels need under given market conditions. The data banks of market conditions for biomass resources and biomass derived fuels, biomass conversion profiles, and commercial scale process economics will be used as input to the model. Progress on reaching these goals and a summary of findings are reported.

Research Organization:
Gilbert Associates, Inc., Reading, PA (USA); West Virginia Univ., Morgantown (USA); Environmental Energy Engineering, Inc., Morgantown, WV (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
ET-78-C-02-5022
OSTI ID:
5698380
Report Number(s):
COO-5022-8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English