Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Pelleting of Cellulosic Biomass: A Preliminary Experiment

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
Donghai Wang ◽  
Robert Clark
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
The Road ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuel ◽  
Plant Matter ◽  
Vibration Assistance ◽  
On The Road ◽  
And Storage

Biofuels produced from cellulosic biomass (such as the fibrous, woody, and generally inedible portions of plant matter) can significantly reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, create new jobs, improve rural economies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve national security. However, in the U.S., there are currently no cellulosic biofuel plants in commercial production. Several technical barriers have hindered large-scale cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels. One such barrier is related to the low density of cellulosic feedstocks, causing their transportation and storage to be very expensive. Pelleting biomass can increase the overall efficiency by utilizing existing transportation infrastructure and storage systems for mega-ton quantities. If biomass is pelleted, it can be handled and transported with existing grain handling equipment in the field, on the road, and at the central biorefinery. This paper presents experimental study on ultrasonic vibration assisted pelleting of cellulosic feedstocks. The results show that ultrasonic vibration assistance could increase the mechanical strength of pellets by more than six times and the density by 50%.

Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Pelleting of Cellulosic Biomass: A Review

2013 ◽  
Vol 805-806 ◽  
pp. 151-155
Author(s):  
Kang Qi Fan ◽  
Yong Jun Tang ◽  
Yang Fang
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Ultrasonic Power ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuels ◽  
Transportation Fuels ◽  
Pellet Density ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Biomass To Ethanol

Increasing concerns about reliable supplies and envi­ronmental consequences of petroleum-based fuels have made it important to develop sustainable green sources for liquid transportation fuels. One such source is cellulosic biomass. However, high costs associated with transportation and storage of low-density cellulosic biomass has hindered large-scale, cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting can increase biomass density, improve storability, and reduce transportation costs. This paper reviews the state of the art of this technique, covering the effects of different process parameters on pellet quality, pellet charring, pellet crack, and sugar yield. It can be concluded that pellet density increases with an increase in ultrasonic power and pelleting pressure, and with a decrease in biomass moisture content and particle size. However, large ultrasonic power may lead to the charring of cellulosic biomass, which adversely affects the conversion of cellulosic biomass to ethanol. In addition, some problems associated with UV-A pelletingof cellulosic biomass are proposed.

Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Pelleting of Cellulosic Biomass for Biofuel Manufacturing

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P. F. Zhang ◽  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
D. H. Wang ◽  
X. R. Wu ◽  
W. L. Cong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuels ◽  
Transportation Fuels ◽  
Input Variables ◽  
Alternative Sources ◽  
And Storage

Increasing demands and concerns for the reliable supply of liquid transportation fuels makes it important to find alternative sources to petroleum based fuels. One such alternative is cellulosic biofuels. However, several technical barriers have hindered large-scale, cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels, such as the low density of cellulosic feedstocks (causing high transportation and storage costs) and the lack of efficient pretreatment procedures for cellulosic biomass. This paper reports experimental investigations on ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting of cellulosic feedstocks. It studies effects of input variables (ultrasonic vibration, moisture content, and particle size) on output variables (pellet density, stability, durability, pelleting force, and yield of biofuel conversion) in UV-A pelleting. Results showed that UV-A pelleting could increase the density of cellulosic feedstocks and the yield of biofuel conversion.

Effects of Particle Size on Cellulosic Biomass Pellets: A Literature Review

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Zhang ◽  
P. F. Zhang ◽  
Z. J. Pei
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Input Parameter ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuels ◽  
Pellet Quality ◽  
Biomass Materials ◽  
And Storage

Cellulosic biofuels are becoming an attractive alternative to conventional liquid transportation fuels. Cellulosic biomass is the feedstock for cellulosic biofuel manufacturing. However, high transportation and storage cost of cellulosic biomass due to its low density hinders large-scale and cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels. Pelleting processes are used to produce biomass pellets which have higher density and are easier to handle in transportation and storage. Before going through pelleting processes, original cellulosic biomass materials are milled into particles. The particle size is an important input parameter in pelleting processes. Many investigations have been conducted on effects of biomass particle size on pellet quality (in terms of density, durability, stability, and strength). This paper reviews the literature about effects of particle size on pellet quality. Investigated biomass materials, selected range of particle size, utilized milling and pelleting processes are summarized. The approaches to evaluating pellet quality are also reviewed.

Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Pelleting of Sorghum Stalks: Effects of Pressure and Ultrasonic Power

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
P. F. Zhang ◽  
Timothy Deines ◽  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
Donghai Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enzymatic Hydrolysis ◽  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Sugar Yield ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Ultrasonic Power ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuels ◽  
Transportation Fuels ◽  
Low Efficiency

Cellulosic biofuels can be used to replace traditional liquid transportation fuels. Cellulosic biomass is feedstock in manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels. However, the low density of cellulosic biomass feedstock hinders large-scale and cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels. Another bottleneck factor in manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels is the low efficiency of the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass materials resulting in a low sugar yield. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting can increase the density of cellulosic biomass feedstocks via combined effects of mechanical compression and ultrasonic vibration of the tool on the cellulosic biomass. Meanwhile ultrasonic vibration may act as a beneficial pretreatment for enzymatic hydrolysis, which can possibly increase the efficiency of hydrolysis and obtain a higher sugar yield. The pressure and the ultrasonic power are important parameters in UV-A pelleting. Their effects on pellet quality (density, durability, and stability) and sugar yield (after hydrolysis) are experimentally investigated.

A Study on Amount of Biomass Pellets Used in Durability Testing

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Zhang ◽  
P. F. Zhang ◽  
X. X. Song ◽  
M. Zhang ◽  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Quality Parameter ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuels ◽  
Transportation Fuels ◽  
Important Quality ◽  
Durability Testing ◽  
And Storage

Biofuels are an alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. Cellulosic biomass can be used as feedstocks for befoul manufacturing. Low density of cellulosic feedstocks causes difficulties in handling them during transportation and storage, thus hindering large-scale and cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels. Pelleting can increase the density of cellulosic feedstocks by compacting bulky biomass into pellets. Pellet durability, an important quality parameter, measures the ability of pellets to withstand impact and other destructive forces during transportation and handling. ASABE standard S269.4 specifies a procedure to determine pellet durability using 500 grams of pellets. However, it does not provide any justification of choosing this amount of pellets. This paper investigates the feasibility of using a smaller amount of pellets (50 grams) to determine pellet durability. Results show that 50 grams of pellets can generate comparable durability results as 500 grams of pellets.

Strategies for Promoting the Use of Concrete Pavements in Tanzania: Technical and Institutional Considerations

2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-62
Author(s):  
D.A. Mfinanga ◽  
H. Bwire
Keyword(s):  
Road Construction ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Petroleum Products ◽  
Concrete Pavements ◽  
Construction Technology ◽  
The Road ◽  
Competing Demands ◽  
Resource Requirements ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Economic Developments

High-type roads in Tanzania have been predominantly of asphaltic concrete construction. This ever enlarging and ageing asphaltic road network represents increasing resource requirements on the road agency in the form of maintenance. Limited resources coupled with the ever sky-rocketing costs of petroleum products and the competing demands of social economic developments, presupposes the need to look for alternative road construction technology that is more cost-effective and resource optimising. Experience gained from developed and some developing countries where concrete pavements have been widely used suggests the potential of this type of pavement in many developingcountries. This paper discusses the technical aspects of design and construction- and maintenance-related aspects of concrete pavements. The discussion extends further to highlight issues pertaining to the performance of concrete pavements and strategies for promoting the use of concrete pavements in Tanzania. Conclusions and recommendationsare made with suggestions on how to start implementing the proposed strategies.

scholarly journals Nine Recommendations for the Safety on Road both of the People and the Traffic Police

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (01) ◽  
pp. 79-85
Author(s):  
Madhur Dev Bhattarai
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Road Accident ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Occupational Hazards ◽  
Traffic Police ◽  
The Road ◽  
The People ◽  
On The Road ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Injured Patients

Safety of people and traffic police on road and the provision of prompt and appropriate treatment of injured persons in road accident are urgent concerns. The nine recommendations accordingly made are 1) Considering anyone who informs about or brings to the hospitals the accident victims as innocent until proved otherwise, 2) Annual payment by all vehicle owners (as per the cost of vehicles) to generate treatment fund for any road accident injured patients in the free general (not paying or private or extended health service) outdoor or emergency clinics or ward of the public hospitals irrespective of anyone’ fault in the accident (insurance or other agencies may be assigned to handle the amount deposited and reimbursement of the payments to the hospitals), 3) Implementation of helmet wearing by motorcycle riders and pillion riders in motorcycles, 4) Stricter fine for hazardous traffic offenses, 5) Drivers of the larger vehicles should not automatically be held responsible for any accidents involving other smaller vehicles (to prevent smaller vehicles and motorcycles to drive recklessly), 6) Drivers should not be just held responsible to bear health expenses of injured patients (which is much more than the compensation required in the event of death of injured persons); this is to encourage drivers to take injured persons immediately to hospitals and prevent inclination to allow their deaths indirectly or directly; the drivers should be proportionately fined or punished as per the traffic regulations if they are found to be negligent, 7) Safe and visible platform for the traffic police to stay on the road, 8) Provision of cost-effective respirators for traffic police and traffic supervisors, and 9) Compensation for occupational hazards to the traffic police and field traffic supervisors by distributing to them adequate proportion (e.g. one-third to one-half) of the fund collected by stricter fine paid for the hazardous traffic offences. Provision of various allowances, including for hazards, and benefits is a common practice in the country. Compensation for the occupational hazards of the traffic police provides incentives to and motivates them to remain vigilant about hazardous traffic offenses day and night everywhere and, thus, is essential for the safety of the people.   

On the Road to Large-Scale 3D Monocular Scene Reconstruction using Deep Implicit Functions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Roddick ◽  
Benjamin Biggs ◽  
Daniel Olmeda Reino ◽  
Roberto Cipolla
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Scene Reconstruction ◽  
Implicit Functions ◽  
The Road ◽  
On The Road

High precision and high resolution monitoring of subsurface changes with DAS and airgun

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baoshan Wang ◽  
Xiangfang Zeng ◽  
Jun Yang ◽  
Yuansheng Zhang ◽  
Zhenghong Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Fiber Optic ◽  
Epicentral Distance ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Fiber Optic Cable ◽  
The Road ◽  
Air Gun ◽  
Distributed Acoustic Sensing ◽  
On The Road ◽  
Road Crossing

<p>Recently large-volume airgun arrays have been used to explore and monitor the subsurface structure. The airgun array can generate highly repeatable seismic signals, which can be traced to more than 200 km. And the airgun source can be ignited every 10 minutes. The airgun source makes it possible to precisely monitor subsurface changes at large scale. The spatial resolution of airgun monitoring is poor subjecting to the receiver distribution. The distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) technique provides a strategy for low-cost and high-density seismic observations. Two experiments combing DAS technique and airgun source were conducted at two sites with different settings. At the first site, a telecommunication fiber-optic cable in urban area was used. After moderate stacking, the airgun signal emerges on the 30-km DAS array at about 9 km epicentral distance. In the second experiment, a 5-km cable was deployed from the airgun source to about 2 km away. About 800-m cable was frozen into the ice above the air-gun, the rest cable was cemented on the road crossing through a fault. And the airgun has been fired continuously for more than 48 hours with one-hour interval. On the stacking multiple shots’ records, the wavefield in fault zone emerges too. These two experiments demonstrate the feasibility of using various fiber-optic cables as dense array to acquire air-gun signal in different environments and to monitor the subsurface changes.</p>

Ultrasonic-Vibration-Assisted Pelleting of Cellulosic Biomass: Effects of Moisture Content

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxu Song ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
Timothy Deines
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Transportation Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Low Density ◽  
High Transportation Cost ◽  
Biomass Materials ◽  
Pellet Density

Cellulosic biomass is an important source for making biofuels. However, there are several barriers to cost-effective manufacturing of biofuels using cellulosic biomass. One such barrier is related to the high transportation cost due to the low density of cellulosic biomass. Pelleting of cellulosic biomass is one way to increase its density. This paper reports an experimental study on ultrasonic vibration-assisted pelleting of cellulosic biomass. The study was focused on the effects of moisture content (MC) on pellet density of three kinds of cellulosic biomass (wheat straw, switchgrass, and sorghum). The experimental results show that sorghum has the highest density with three levels of MC among these biomass materials. The highest density was found with sorghum of 20% MC.

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