Economic implications of grinding, transporting, and pretreating fresh versus aged forest residues for biofuel production

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rene Zamora-Cristales ◽  
John Sessions ◽  
Gevan Marrs
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Economic Effect ◽  
Transportation Cost ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Forest Residues ◽  
Forest Harvest ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Harvest Residues ◽  
The Difference

The moisture content in forest harvest residues is a key factor affecting the supply cost for bioenergy production. Fresh harvest residues tend to contain higher amounts of water, thus making transportation inefficient. Additionally, fresh harvest residues contain greater amounts of needles and bark that may reduce the polysaccharide content, thus affecting the production of liquid fuels derived from cellulosic components. In this study, we estimated the downstream economic effect in the supply chain of collecting, grinding, transporting and pretreating fresh versus aged residues. Specifically, we analyzed the effect of feedstock moisture content on grinder fuel consumption, bulk density, bark and needle content, and polysaccharide proportion. Fresh forest harvest residues were 60% moisture content (wet basis) and aged forest residues were 15% moisture content. The bark and needle proportion is 6.1% higher in fresh residue than in aged residue. Polysaccharides were 26% higher in aged residue than in fresh residue. On a dry-tonne basis, the cost of grinding fresh residues was about the same as that of aged residues. However, considering the difference in bulk density on transportation cost and the difference in polysaccharide yield, the value gain for in-field drying ranges from US$29.60 to US$74.90 per ovendry tonne.

scholarly journals Economic implications of moisture content and logging system in forest harvest residue delivery for energy production: a case study

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisca Belart ◽  
John Sessions ◽  
Ben Leshchinsky ◽  
Glen Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Energy Output ◽  
Mixed Integer ◽  
Forest Harvest ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Cable Logging ◽  
Harvest Residue

The need for improving the cost effectiveness of forest harvest residue utilization for bioenergy production has been widely recognized. A number of studies show that reducing residue moisture content presents advantages for transportation and energy content. However, previous research has not focused on the relative advantages of in-forest drying depending on the residue characteristics from different logging systems, comminution, and equipment mobilization. Residue drying curves were developed using finite element analysis for two primary Pacific Northwest logging systems. These curves were applied to a case study in Oregon in which mixed integer mathematical programming was used to optimize residue delivery to a hypothetical co-generation plant with a generating capacity of 6 megawatt-hours (MWh). Assuming that rear-steered trailers can access cable logging units, approximately 98% of the harvest residue generated by cable logging was delivered to the plant, compared with only 56% of residue generated with a ground-based system, mainly because collection costs incurred with ground-based system residues exceed cost benefits of drier material. By considering the energy content of drier residues, the amount of oven-dried metric tonnes (ODMT) needed to supply the plant can be reduced by 16% without affecting the energy output over a 24-month planning horizon. Lower ODMT demand and shifting to drier material decreases the overall production cost by 20.4%.

scholarly journals Comparative Study of the Properties of Wood Flour and Wood Pellets Manufactured from Secondary Processing Mill Residues

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2487
Author(s):  
Geeta Pokhrel ◽  
Yousoo Han ◽  
Douglas J. Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Wood Flour ◽  
The United States ◽  
Red Maple ◽  
Wood Pellets ◽  
Secondary Processing ◽  
Material Costs ◽  
Mill Residues

The generation of secondary processing mill residues from wood processing facilities is extensive in the United States. Wood flour can be manufactured utilizing these residues and an important application of wood flour is as a filler in the wood–plastic composites (WPCs). Scientific research on wood flour production from mill residues is limited. One of the greatest costs involved in the supply chain of WPCs manufacturing is the transportation cost. Wood flour, constrained by low bulk densities, is commonly transported by truck trailers without attaining allowable weight limits. Because of this, shipping costs often exceed the material costs, consequently increasing raw material costs for WPC manufacturers and the price of finished products. A bulk density study of wood flour (190–220 kg/m3) and wood pellets (700–750 kg/m3) shows that a tractor-trailer can carry more than three times the weight of pellets compared to flour. Thus, this study focuses on exploring the utilization of mill residues from four wood species in Maine to produce raw materials for manufacturing WPCs. Two types of raw materials for the manufacture of WPCs, i.e., wood flour and wood pellets, were produced and a study of their properties was performed. At the species level, red maple 40-mesh wood flour had the highest bulk density and lowest moisture content. Spruce-fir wood flour particles were the finest (dgw of 0.18 mm). For all species, the 18–40 wood flour mesh size possessed the highest aspect ratio. Similarly, on average, wood pellets manufactured from 40-mesh particles had a lower moisture content, higher bulk density, and better durability than the pellets from unsieved wood flour. Red maple pellets had the lowest moisture content (0.12%) and the highest bulk density (738 kg/m3). The results concluded that the processing of residues into wood flour and then into pellets reduced the moisture content by 76.8% and increased the bulk density by 747%. These material property parameters are an important attempt to provide information that can facilitate the more cost-efficient transport of wood residue feedstocks over longer distances.

scholarly journals Parameters of Trucks and Loads in the Transport of Scots Pine Wood Biomass Depending on the Season and Moisture Content of the Load

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Grzegorz Trzciński ◽  
Łukasz Tymendorf ◽  
Paweł Kozakiewicz
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Load Capacity ◽  
Wood Chips ◽  
Total Weight ◽  
Wood Biomass ◽  
Four Seasons ◽  
Gross Vehicle Weight ◽  
Bulk Volume ◽  
Average Quantity

Transport of wood biomass is one of the key operations in forestry and in the wood industry. An important part is the transport of shredded wood, where the most common forms are chips and sawdust. The aim of the research was to present the variability of the total weight of trucks (gross vehicle weight, GVW), the weight of the empty trucks (tare), and loads of chips and sawdust in different periods of the year. Changes in specific parameters were analyzed: GVW; tare weight; trailer capacity; use of the trailer load capacity; bulk volume and bulk density of wood biomass loads; solid cubic meter (m3) and weight of 1m3 of the load; and load weight depending on the season, with simultaneous measurements of wood chips and sawdust moisture. More than 250 transports from four seasons of the year were analyzed in the research. It was found that the total weight of trucks (GVW) was at a comparable level, on average from 39.42 to 39.64 Mg with slight differences (with SD 0.29 and 0.39). The weight of empty trucks was 16.15 Mg for chip-bearing trucks and 15.93 Mg for sawdust-bearing trucks (with SD 0.604 and 0.526). The type of wood material has an influence on the transported volume. The average quantity of load in the bulk cubic meter was 64.783 m3 for wood chips (SD 3.127) and 70.465 m3 (SD 2.516) for sawdust. Over 30% differences in the volume of transported wood chips and approximately 18% for sawdust were observed. The use of the loading capacity of the trailer was on average 72.58% (SD 5.567) for the transport of wood chips and 77.42% (SD 3.019) for the transport of sawdust. The sawdust bulk density was from 0.3050 to 0.4265 Mg⋅m−3 for wood chips and 0.3200 to 0.3556 Mg⋅m−3 for sawdust. This parameter is significantly dependent on moisture content, and the determined correlation functions can be used for estimating and predicting bulk density. The abovementioned absolute moisture content of chips and sawdust also depends on the season, which also affects the selected parameters of wood biomass loads.

Rock density from borehole gravity surveys

Geophysics ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. LaFehr
Keyword(s):  
Bulk Density ◽  
Apparent Density ◽  
Density Change ◽  
Large Radius ◽  
Rock Density ◽  
Density Anomaly ◽  
Poisson Jump ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Well Data ◽  
Station Location

The borehole gravity meter (BHGM) is recognized as an important logging tool for obtaining formation bulk density. In general, however, the difference between two gravity observations vertically separated in a well leads to an apparent and not the actual bulk density. BHGM‐derived apparent densities are equal to the formation bulk densities when the instrument passes through beds which are horizontal, infinitely extended laterally, uniformly thick, and constant in density. For many applications, departures from these assumed conditions are so slight that their effects can be ignored, and the BHGM essentially yields bulk density with a large radius of investigation. In the presence of anomalous masses, significant distortion in formation bulk density is possible. The apparent density anomaly produced in the well by an elongated, offset density contrast is proportional to the angle subtended by the density‐change interface. For a density‐change boundary having circular symmetry with respect to the well, the apparent density anomaly at the center of the bed is proportional to the sine of the subtended angle. Because the distortion in bulk density is the same above a horizontal boundary as it is just below (in the limit, at the boundary, for a normally incident well), an abrupt change in apparent density is equal to the real density change at the boundary. This change in density, termed “the Poisson jump,” is independent of geometry; our ability to measure it, however, is a function of station location with respect to the geologic bodies. Two methods are suggested for obtaining bulk densities from BHGM apparent densities: (1) by obtaining two stations just outside as well as just within the zone of interest, the Poisson jump can be approximated and added to an independent density source (e.g., the gamma‐gamma log), and (2) the apparent density anomaly within the formation of interest can be derived by modeling (perhaps based on seismic or well data) and added to the BHGM‐determined densities. Thinner beds can be studied with the BHGM than generally believed, even with much greater station spacing.

Measuring the Thermo-Technical Parameters of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete

2016 ◽  
Vol 824 ◽  
pp. 100-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alena Struhárová
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Conductivity ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Capillary Absorption ◽  
Measuring Device ◽  
Technical Parameters ◽  
Autoclaved Aerated Concrete ◽  
Aerated Concrete ◽  
Technical Properties

Bulk density and moisture content are factors that significantly affect the physical properties of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) including thermal conductivity and other thermo-technical characteristics. This article shows the results of measurements of compressive strength, capillary absorption, water absorption and porosity of AAC (ash on fluidized fly ash) at different bulk density and also the results of thermal conductivity of AAC at different bulk density and variable moisture content of the material. The thermo-technical properties were measured using the Isomet 2104, a portable measuring device. Acquired results demonstrate dependence of physical properties including thermal conductivity of AAC on bulk density and moisture content. The reliability and accuracy of the method of measuring was also shown.

Physical Quality of Turmeric Powder (Curcuma longga Linn) Result of Foam-mat Drying Method Using Microwave

2021 ◽  
pp. 57-65
Author(s):  
Dhinar Patliani ◽  
Dian Purbasari
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Water Absorption ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Oil Absorption ◽  
Drying Method ◽  
Physical Quality ◽  
Average Grain Size ◽  
Two Factors

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L) in Indonesia is widely known as a herbal medicinal plant, food coloring, and food flavoring. The high water content of turmeric will shorten the storage time and the quality of the ingredients. The need for drying which is the process of removing the moisture content of the material with the aim of prolonging the shelf life. The use of the foam-mat drying method with the addition of adhesives aims to speed up the drying process and maintain the quality of a material. The result of drying turmeric obtained is turmeric powder product. This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with two factors, namely the variation of the microwave oven power and the composition of the developer agent (ovalet). The research procedure was divided into two stages, namely the manufacture of powder and continued with the measurement of physical quality. The stages of making powder begin with the preparation of raw materials, stripping, size reduction, addition of developer, drying, then grinding. The second stage is measuring physical quality, namely fineness modulus, average grain size, powder moisture content, color, water absorption, oil absorption, and bulk density. The power variations used are 420 watts, 535 watts, and 680 watts, while the composition of the developer is 1%, 2%, and 4%. Data analysis using two-way ANOVA statistical test with two factors that affect the variation of power and composition of the developer (ovalet). FM values ​​ranged from 0.364 – 1.576, D values ​​ranged from 0.005 – 0.0012 mm, final moisture content values ​​ranged from 7.60 – 9.59%, powder moisture content values ​​ranged from 9.47 – 11.43%ww , L values ​​ranged from 61.46 – 65.96, a values ​​ranged from 13.54 – 16.05, b values ​​ranged from 48.21 – 52.42, DSA values ​​ranged from 2.78 – 3.54 ml/ g, DSM values ​​ranged from 1.22 – 1.60 ml/g, and DC values ​​ranged from 0.38 – 0.44 g/cm3. The combination treatment of drying power with developer is influenced by the drying power of the parameters, namely the value of moisture content, fineness modulus, average grain size, brightness level, redness level, yellowness level, oil absorption, water absorption, and bulk density. While the developer affects the finenes modulus, average grain size, yellowness level, and bulk density.

Microwave Nondestructive Sensing of Moisture Content and Water Activity of Almonds

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1373-1379
Author(s):  
Samir Trabelsi
Keyword(s):  
Dielectric Constant ◽  
Dielectric Properties ◽  
Dielectric Loss ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Water Activity ◽  
Free Space ◽  
Loss Factor ◽  
Dielectric Loss Factor ◽  
List Type

HighlightsMoisture and water activity were determined nondestructively and in real time from measurement of dielectric properties.Moisture and water activity calibration equations were established in terms of the dielectric properties.Situations in which bulk density was known or unknown were considered.SEC ranged from 0.41% to 0.68% for moisture and from 0.02 to 0.04 for water activity.Abstract. A method for rapid and nondestructive determination of moisture content and water activity of granular and particulate materials was developed. The method relies on measurement of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor at a single microwave frequency. For the purpose of illustration, the method was applied to predicting the moisture content and water activity of almond kernels. A free-space transmission technique was used for accurate measurement of the dielectric properties. Samples of Bute Padre almond kernels with moisture content ranging from 4.8% to 16.5%, wet basis (w.b.), and water activity ranging from 0.50 to 0.93 were loaded into a Styrofoam sample holder and placed between two horn-lens antennas connected to a vector network analyzer. The dielectric properties were calculated from measurement of the attenuation and phase shift at 8 GHz and 25°C. The dielectric properties increased linearly with moisture content, while they showed an exponential increase with water activity. Situations in which the bulk density was known and unknown were considered. Linear and exponential growth regressions provided equations correlating the dielectric properties with moisture content and water activity with coefficients of determination (r2) higher than 0.96. Analytical expressions of moisture content and water activity in terms of the dielectric properties measured at 8 GHz and 25°C are provided. The standard error of calibration (SEC) was calculated for each calibration equation. Results show that moisture content can be predicted with SECs ranging from 0.41% to 0.68% (w.b.) and water activity with SECs ranging from 0.02 to 0.04 for almond kernel samples with water activity ranging from 0.5 to 0.9 and moisture contents ranging from 4.8% to 16.5% (w.b.). Keywords: Bulk density, Dielectric constant, Dielectric loss factor, Free-space measurements, Loss tangent, Microwave frequencies, Moisture content, Water activity.

Physico-chemical Characterization of Forest and Agricultural Residues for Energy Conversion Processes

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Hong Nam ◽  
Le Gia Thanh Truc ◽  
Khuong Duy Anh ◽  
Laurent Van De Steene
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conversion ◽  
Chemical Characterization ◽  
Calorific Value ◽  
Forest Residues ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Biomass Resources ◽  
Thermochemical Processes ◽  
The Difference

Agricultural and forest residues are potential sources of renewable energy in various countries. However, the difference in characteristics of biomass resources presents challenges for energy conversion processes which often require feedstocks that are physically and chemically consistent. This study presented a complete and comprehensive database of characteristics of a wide range of agricultural and forest residues. Moisture, bulk density, calorific value, proximate and elemental compositions, as well as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin compositions of a wide range of biomass residues were analyzed. The major impacts of the variability in biomass compositions to biochemical and thermochemical processes were also discussed.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document