Comparing pelletization and torrefaction depots: optimization of depot capacity and biomass moisture to determine the minimum production cost.

In the present study, the biomass upgrading depot capacity and biomass feedstock moisture were optimized to obtain the minimum production cost at the depot gate for the production of woody biofuels. Three technology scenarios are considered in this study: (1) conventional pellets (CP), (2) modestly torrefied pellets (TP1) and (3) severely torrefied pellets (TP2). TP1 has the lowest cost of $7.03/GJLHV at a moisture of 33wt.% and a depot size of 84MWLHV. The effects of climatic conditions and biomass field conditions were also studied for three scenarios. In humid regions of Michigan, TP2 is more economical than other scenarios because of the increased production of combustible gas. The three scenarios have similar sensitivities to biomass field conditions.

[1]  Kuan Chong Ting,et al.  Energy requirement for comminution of biomass in relation to particle physical properties , 2011 .

[2]  Ingwald Obernberger,et al.  Wood pellet production costs under Austrian and in comparison to Swedish framework conditions , 2004 .

[3]  R. Overend.  The average haul distance and transportation work factors for biomass delivered to a central plant , 1982 .

[4]  S. Sokhansanj,et al.  Effects of compressive force, particle size and moisture content on mechanical properties of biomass pellets from grasses , 2006 .

[5]  Ken Campbell.  A Feasibility Study Guide for an Agricultural Biomass Pellet Company , 2007 .

[6]  Zhijian Pei,et al.  Physical properties of pellets made from sorghum stalk, corn stover, wheat straw, and big bluestem , 2011 .

[7]  Frank Schultmann,et al.  Assessing the integration of torrefaction into wood pellet production , 2014 .

[8]  Ger Devlin,et al.  Controlling moisture content and truck configurations to model and optimise biomass supply chain logistics in Ireland , 2015 .

[9]  E. Lowell,et al.  Effect of temperature during wood torrefaction on the formation of lignin liquid intermediates , 2014 .

[10]  Christopher T. Wright,et al.  A Technical Review on Biomass Processing: Densification, Preprocessing, Modeling and Optimization , 2010 .

[11]  André Faaij,et al.  Pre-treatment technologies, and their effect on international bioenergy supply chain logistics. Techno-economic evaluation of torrefaction, fast pyrolysis and pelletisation , 2008 .

[12]  Kj Krzysztof Ptasinski,et al.  More efficient biomass gasification via torrefaction , 2006 .

[13]  Amit Kumar,et al.  Development of agri-pellet production cost and optimum size. , 2010, Bioresource technology.

[14]  M. Sørensen,et al.  Strength and Durability of Feed Pellets Influenced by Different Particle Size Distribution, Pellet Volume and Dehydration Techniques , 2013 .

[15]  Shahab Sokhansanj,et al.  ECONOMICS OF PRODUCING FUEL PELLETS FROM BIOMASS , 2006 .

[16]  Jose Leboreiro,et al.  Biomass transportation model and optimum plant size for the production of ethanol. , 2011, Bioresource technology.

[17]  Sonthi Warajanont.  Effect of Particle Size and Moisture Content on Cassava Root Pellet Fuel’S Qualities Follow the Acceptance of Pellet Fuel Standard , 2013 .

[18]  Robert Samuelsson,et al.  Effects of moisture content, torrefaction temperature, and die temperature in pilot scale pelletizing of torrefied Norway spruce , 2013 .

[19]  M.J.A. van den Oever,et al.  Process for production of high density/high performance binderless boards from whole coconut husk: Part 1: Lignin as intrinsic thermosetting binder resin , 2004 .

[20]  Animesh Dutta,et al.  Strength, storage, and combustion characteristics of densified lignocellulosic biomass produced via torrefaction and hydrothermal carbonization , 2014 .

[21]  Torbjörn A. Lestander,et al.  Process optimization of combined biomass torrefaction and pelletization for fuel pellet production – A parametric study , 2015 .

[22]  René Guyonnet,et al.  Energy requirement for fine grinding of torrefied wood , 2010 .

[23]  Ralf Pecenka,et al.  Development of bio-physical properties during storage of poplar chips from 15 ha test fields , 2014 .

[24]  R. .. Morey,et al.  Factors affecting strength and durability of densified biomass products. , 2009 .

[25]  D. Shonnard,et al.  Temperature dependence of aspen torrefaction kinetics. , 2014 .

[26]  Klaus D. Timmerhaus,et al.  Plant design and economics for chemical engineers , 1958 .

[27]  Wei-Hsin Chen,et al.  An evaluation on improvement of pulverized biomass property for solid fuel through torrefaction , 2011 .

[28]  T. Järvinen,et al.  Experimentally determined storage and handling properties of fuel pellets made from torrefied whole-tree pine chips, logging residues and beech stem wood , 2014 .

[29]  Bruce R. Hartsough,et al.  The economics of alternative fuel reduction treatments in western United States dry forests: Financial and policy implications from the National Fire and Fire Surrogate Study , 2008 .

[30]  Jenny M. Jones,et al.  Torrefaction of reed canary grass, wheat straw and willow to enhance solid fuel qualities and combustion properties , 2008 .

[31]  Victor R Vasquez,et al.  Effect of thermal pretreatment on equilibrium moisture content of lignocellulosic biomass. , 2011, Bioresource technology.

[32]  Yadong Li,et al.  High-pressure densification of wood residues to form an upgraded fuel , 2000 .

[33]  M. Wihersaari,et al.  Bio-coal, torrefied lignocellulosic resources – Key properties for its use in co-firing with fossil coal – Their status , 2012 .