Biomass Research & Development Initiative (BRDI - Department of Energy) Waste to Wisdom (W2W): Utilizing forest residues for the production of bioenergy and biobased products Han-Sup Han Humboldt State University Arcata, California, USA
Waste to Wisdom Project Goal Utilize forest residues for the production of bioenergy and bio-based products by developing new biomass conversion technologies and optimizing biomass operations logistics. 2
Forest Residues Logging Slash Forest Thinnings 103 million tons/year @ $60/bone dry ton (Billion-ton Report, 2016)
Typical In-woods Biomass Operations Grinding Transportation Energy plant Chipping High cost Low market price paid
Integration of Mobile Biomass Conversion Techs Torrefaction In-woods Biomass Operations Gasification Briquetter
In-woods Biomass Conversion:! Decrease transportation and handling costs! Increase product values Biochars Brique-es Torrefied chips
New challenges Biomass Conversion Technology Product Particle size (inch) Desired feedstock specifications Moisture Content (% wet basis) Ash content (%) Gasification Biochar 0.6 4.0 < 25 < 20 Torrefaction Torrefied chips 0.5 1.5 < 30 no limit Densification Briquettes < 2.0 4-15 no limit Gasification Electricity 0.6 2.0 10-30 < 15 7
Sorting tree tops during timber harvesting Processed Tops Sawlogs Slash Pile Unprocessed Tops
Tree tops and small-diameter trees sorted during timber harvest processed conifer processed hardwood unprocessed conifer unprocessed hardwood
Production of quality feedstock from forest residues Size distribution: " Chipped materials: >95% chips less than 2 inches " Ground materials: >55% ground materials larger than 2 inches Material type Ave. particle size (inch) Ash content (%) Moisture content (%) Bulk density (lb/ft^3) Processed conifer 0.68 0.27 26 14.24 Unprocessed conifer 0.72 0.64 27 14.92 Chipped Processed hardwood 0.71 1.03 29 20.11 Unprocessed hardwood 0.81 1.07 27 19.34 Slash Ground 1.87 1.50 19 8.57 Chipped Materials Ground Materials
Various types of feedstock produced from forest residues wood chips (<3/4 inch) micro-chips (<1/4 inch) sawdust (<5/32 inch)
Moisture content reduction study Objective: Develop on-site methods to lower moisture content Processor piled Teepee Criss- cross Sca-ered Covered vs. Uncovered
Moisture content reduction study 40 100 35 90 Moisture content (%) 30 25 20 15 10 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 RelaHve humidity (%) 5 10 0 Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July RelaHve humidity (%) 67 62 68 81 83 66 67 72 74 74 72 70 Teepee 30 23 26 30 29 26 24 26 22 21 17 14 Criss cross 32 23 26 29 30 23 23 26 23 21 17 12 Processor pile 34 22 26 28 31 28 24 24 21 20 16 10 Sca-ered 37 21 27 29 26 27 20 21 16 17 15 12 0
Waste to Wisdom (W2W) Biomass Conversion Technologies Overview # Gasification # Briquetting # Torrefaction Dr. Arne Jacobson Schatz Energy Research Center Humboldt State University
Biochar: gasification» Feedstock specifications: ground or chipped up to 6-inch in size < 25% Moisture content (wet basis) < 15% Ash content (dry basis)
Integrated Biochar Production System Biomass In Gasifier Generator Biochar Machine Belt Dryer Biochar Out
System Integration Flow Diagram 926 lb/hr @ 22% MC 1,153 lb/hr @ 36% MC 7 kw electric Biochar Machine 42 kw thermal 3 kw electric Dryer Gasifier Power Generator 174 lb/hr biochar 977 lb/hr @ 22% MC 51 lb/hr @ 22% MC
Gasifier remote power» Biomass gasifier generator» Produces 18 kw electric power» 5.3 lb biomass used per kwh» Feedstock specifications:» Particle size: 0.6 in. 2 in.» Moisture content: 10% - 25%
Briquetter» Feedstock specifications:» Must be <13% moisture content.» Chips up to 4 inches can produce briquettes, but adding 50% fines greatly increases density and durability.» Matured technology with minimal labor and maintenance requirements.
Briquetter chip size >4 in. 8% M.C. 18% M.C.
Torrefaction» Beneficial properties: hydrophobic, energy dense, grindable
Torrefied Briquettes Demonstration Plant» Feedstock specifications: chip size: < 1 inch moisture content: < 25% (wet basis) Input rate up to 0.77 ton/hour Output rate up to 0.6 ton/hour Dryer Torrefier Briquetter
Key messages! Sorting stem wood and tree tops from other residues during a timber harvest operation facilitates the use of a chipper.! Through sorting and chipping of forest residues, we were able to produce various types of quality feedstock.! Integration of mobile biomass conversion technologies is a way to reduce transportation cost and improve the values of bioenergy products.! Various mobile biomass conversion technologies are being developed.
Thank You! http://wastetowisdom.com/