ARS | Publication request: Densification of Herbaceous Bioenergy Feedstocks for Transportation and Handling

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: April 1, 2008
Publication Date: April 17, 2008
Citation: Pordesimo, L., Holt, G.A., Cannayen, I., Columbus, E. 2008. Densification of Herbaceous Bioenergy Feedstocks for Transportation and Handling [abstract]. 1st Mississippi State University Energy-Synergy Workshop, April 17, 2008, Mississippi State, Mississippi. 2008 CDROM.

Technical Abstract: A vital component of a sustainable bioconversion industry that continues to be conceptualized and addressed by many is the supply, collection, and delivery of lignocellulosic feedstocks --- the feedstock supply system --- to bioconversion facilities. Lindley and Backer (1994) identified that low bulk density, variability in physical and chemical characteristics, and geographical and seasonal variation sand, among other factors, affect the orderly flow of biomass from the field to a biorefinery. The realistic scenario of multiple feedstocks being concurrently used in a conversion facility, or being used in sequence over a year’s operation of the facility due to seasonal availability, certainly complicates the logistics of biomass feedstock delivery as well as the materials handing and conversion operations within conversion facilities. Either the conversion process needs to be designed to be versatile and robust to handle numerous lignocellulosic feedstocks or the raw material needs to be made more uniform, at least in size and form. It is proposed that the latter can be achieved through densification operations that are lower in cost and do not further economically constrain producing fuels from biomass involving reduced density targets and the use of agricultural processing residuals with adhesive properties. This is explored in this study producing pellets or briquettes.