Solid biofuels - Safe handling and storage of solid biofuel pellets in commercial and industrial applications

Near infrared spectroscopy is a non-invasive and rapid technique to support the analysis of solid biofuels such as woodchip, which is considered as a suitable alternative for energy production, according to European goals for fossil fuel reduction. Chemical and physical properties of the woodchip influence combustion performance, so the most discriminant parameters such as moisture and ash content and gross calorific value were constantly monitored. The aim of this study was the development of prediction models for these three parameters with the use of a hand-held NIR spectrometer. Laboratory analyses were carried out to evaluate the quality of several Italian samples from a power plant, and PLS regression models were developed to test prediction accuracy. Moreover, the most relevant wavelengths were investigated to discriminate chemical compounds influence. Prediction models demonstrated the capacity of handheld MicroNIR instrument to be considered a practical tool for solid biofuel quality assessment. As a consequence, NIR spectroscopy improved real-time analysis and made it suitable for practical and industrial applications, as supported by the recent Italian standard UNI/TS 11765.

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Change in humidity of solid biofuels

Research in Agricultural Engineering ◽

10.17221/4928-rae ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 50 (No. 2) ◽

pp. 61-65

Author(s):

P. Heneman

Keyword(s):

Calorific Value ◽

Considerable Effect ◽

Raw Material ◽

Air Humidity ◽

Solid Biofuels ◽

Relative Air Humidity ◽

Solid Biofuel ◽

Duration Of Storage ◽

Unstable Environment ◽

And Storage

Humidity, as one of the most important physical properties of pressed solid biofuels, affects thel calorific value of the biofuel and its consistency. Biofuel humidity depends on the initial humidity of raw material, which varies and depends on many factors. Method of manufacture and place and duration of storage have a considerable effect on solid biofuel humidity as well. Humidity of pressed solid biofuels changes not only during the pressing itself, when temperature increases by compression and a part of contained moisture evaporates, but also in the course of handling and storage under unstable environment conditions with high relative air humidity, when, on the contrary, their humidity gradually increases due to their hygroscopicity. Properties of solid biofuels change with their increasing humidity – their calorific value and consistency decreasing and the share of crumbles increasing.

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Modularity of Pressing Tools for Screw Press Producing Solid Biofuels

Acta Polytechnica ◽

10.14311/1558 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 52 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Miloš Matúš ◽

Peter Križan

Keyword(s):

Mathematical Model ◽

Modular Design ◽

Screw Press ◽

Axial Forces ◽

Solid Biofuels ◽

Solid Biofuel ◽

Complicated Process ◽

Comprehensive Study

This paper focuses on the development of the newly-patented structure of a screw briquetting machine for compacting biomass into a solid biofuel. The design of the machine is based on the results of a comprehensive study of the complicated process of biomass compaction. The patented structure meets two main goals: the elimination of axial forces, leading to increased lifetime of the bearings, and the new modular design of a pressing chamber and tools with their geometry based on the application of a mathematical model.

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Solid recovered fuels - Safe handling and storage of solid recovered fuels

10.3403/30354913 ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Safe Handling ◽

And Storage

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Second-Generation Lignocellulosic Supportive Material Improves Atomic Ratios of C:O and H:O and Thermomechanical Behavior of Hybrid Non-Woody Pellets

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules25184219 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (18) ◽

pp. 4219

Author(s):

Bruno Rafael de Almeida Moreira ◽

Ronaldo da Silva Viana ◽

Victor Hugo Cruz ◽

Anderson Chagas Magalhães ◽

Celso Tadao Miasaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Second Generation ◽

Mechanical Stability ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Thermomechanical Behavior ◽

Wood Pellets ◽

Residual Biomass ◽

Second Generation Bioethanol ◽

Solid Biofuels ◽

And Storage

Pellets refer to solid biofuels for heating and power. The pellet’s integrity is of great relevant to ensure safe and effective transportation and storage, and comfort to stakeholders. Several materials that are supportive, whether organic and inorganic, to pellets exist. However, no work in the literature is linking making hybrid non-wood pellets with addition of residual biomass from distillation of cellulosic bioethanol, and this requires further investigations. Figuring out how effective this challenging agro-industrial residue could be for reinforcing non-wood pellets is accordingly the scientific point of this study focusing on management of waste and valorization of biomass. The pilot-scale manufacturing of hybrid pellets consisted of systematically pressing sugarcane bagasse with the lignocellulosic reinforcement at the mass ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 on an automatic pelletizer machine at 200 MPa and 125 °C. Elemental contents of C and H, durability, and energy density all increased significantly from 50.05 to 53.50%, 5.95 to 7.80%, 95.90 to 99.55%, and 28.20 to 31.20 MJ kg−1, respectively, with blending the starting material with the reinforcement at 1:3. Preliminary evidence of residual biomass from distillation of second-generation bioethanol capable of highly improving molecular flammable/combustible properties, mechanical stability, and fuel power of composite non-wood pellets exist.

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