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A technical review on biomass processing: Densification, preprocessing, modeling and optimization

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

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Biomass from plants can serve as an alternative renewable and carbon-neutral raw material for the production of bioenergy. Low densities of 40-60 kg/m3 for lignocellulosic and 200-400 kg/m3 for woody biomass limits their application for energy purposes. Prior to use in energy applications these materials need to be densified. The densified biomass can have bulk densities over 10 times the raw material helping to significantly reduce technical limitations associated with storage, handling and transportation. Pelleting, briquetting, and other extrusion processes are commonly used methods for densification. The aim of the present research is to develop a comprehensive review of biomass processes including densification, preprocessing, modeling and optimization. Specific objectives include performing a technical review on (a) mechanisms of particle bonding during densification; (b) methods of densification including extrusion, briquetting, pelleting, and agglomeration; (c) effects of process and feedstock variables on biomass chemical composition and densification (d) effects of preprocessing (e.g., grinding, preheating, steam explosion, and torrefaction) on biomass quality and binding characteristics; (e) models for understanding compression characteristics; and (f) procedures for response surface modeling and optimization.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2010, ASABE 2010
PublisherAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Pages4594-4625
Number of pages32
ISBN (Print)9781617388354
StatePublished - 2010

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2010, ASABE 2010
Volume6

Keywords

  • Biomass
  • Briquetting
  • Densification
  • Densification process variables
  • Extrusion process
  • Modeling
  • Optimization
  • Pelleting

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