Investigation of Process Variables in the Densification of Corn Stover Briquettes

Energies

Curtis P. Thoreson²  Keith E. Webster²  Matthew J. Darr¹ 

[1] Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Iowa State University, 100 Davidson Hall, Ames, IA 50011, USA;

关键词: biomass;    compression pressure;    density;    logistics;    moisture content;    pellet;   

DOI  :  10.3390/en7064019

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The bulk density of raw corn stover is a major limitation to its large-scale viability as a biomass feedstock. Raw corn stover has a bulk density of 50 kg/m³, which creates significant transportation costs and limits the optimization of transport logistics. Producing a densified corn stover product during harvest would reduce harvest and transportation costs, resulting in viable pathways for the use of corn stover as a biomass feedstock. This research investigated the effect of different process variables (compression pressure, moisture content, particle size, and material composition) on a densification method that produces briquettes from raw corn stover. A customized bench-scale densification system was designed to evaluate different corn stover inputs. Quality briquette production was possible using non-reduced particle sizes and low compression pressures achievable in a continuous in-field production system. At optimized bench settings, corn stover was densified to a dry bulk density of 190 kg/m³. Corn stover with a moisture content above 25%_wb was not suitable for this method of bulk densification, and greater cob content had a positive effect on product quality.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2014 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.