Ultrasonic-Vibration-Assisted Pelleting of Cellulosic Biomass: Effects of Moisture Content

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoxu Song ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
Timothy Deines
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Transportation Cost ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Low Density ◽  
High Transportation Cost ◽  
Biomass Materials ◽  
Pellet Density

Cellulosic biomass is an important source for making biofuels. However, there are several barriers to cost-effective manufacturing of biofuels using cellulosic biomass. One such barrier is related to the high transportation cost due to the low density of cellulosic biomass. Pelleting of cellulosic biomass is one way to increase its density. This paper reports an experimental study on ultrasonic vibration-assisted pelleting of cellulosic biomass. The study was focused on the effects of moisture content (MC) on pellet density of three kinds of cellulosic biomass (wheat straw, switchgrass, and sorghum). The experimental results show that sorghum has the highest density with three levels of MC among these biomass materials. The highest density was found with sorghum of 20% MC.

An Experimental Study on Temperature in Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Pelleting of Cellulosic Biomass

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Feng ◽  
W. L. Cong ◽  
M. Zhang ◽  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
C. Z. Ren
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Ultrasonic Power ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuels ◽  
Transportation Fuel

As one of the near-to-mid-term alternatives to fossil fuels, cellulosic biofuels can cut greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to meet liquid transportation fuel needs. By processing cellulosic biomass into pellets, density and handling efficiency of cellulosic feedstocks will be improved, resulting in a reduction in transportation and handling costs in biofuel manufacturing. Temperature of biomass during the pelleting process can affect the quality of the pellet. But effects of pelleting variables on biomass temperature during ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting are still unknown. This paper reports an experimental investigation on temperature of biomass in UV-A pelleting. It studies the effects of moisture content of the biomass and pelleting variables (ultrasonic power, tool travel distance, and feedrate). The results will be helpful in understanding the effects of ultrasonic vibration on biomass temperature, compaction mechanism, and biofuel conversion.

Effects of Die Size on Pellet Quality for Cellulosic Ethanol Manufacturing

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Lin Heng ◽  
Jiping Zhou ◽  
Zhichao Li
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Equilibrium Moisture Content ◽  
Cellulosic Ethanol ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Pellet Quality ◽  
Transportation Fuel ◽  
Biomass Densification ◽  
Pellet Density

Cellulosic ethanol can be used as a sustainable alternative transportation fuel. A major obstacle to restrict large-scale cellulosic ethanol manufacturing is low bulk density of cellulosic biomass that increases costs during transportation, storage and application of biomass. Biomass pelleting can significantly increase density of biomass. Pellets with high density can be handled, transported, stored and utilized easily. Ring-die pelleting, a traditional pelleting method, is widely used in biomass densification industry. This paper reported an experimental study to compare pellet quality (such as equilibrium moisture content, density, and durability) and microstructure of corn stover processed by a ring-die pellet mill with three different die sizes. Results showed that round and bigger die (32 mm instead of 9 mm) results in higher pellet density, durability, and lower equilibrium moisture content.

Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Pelleting of Cellulosic Biomass: A Review

2013 ◽  
Vol 805-806 ◽  
pp. 151-155
Author(s):  
Kang Qi Fan ◽  
Yong Jun Tang ◽  
Yang Fang
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Ultrasonic Power ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuels ◽  
Transportation Fuels ◽  
Pellet Density ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Biomass To Ethanol

Increasing concerns about reliable supplies and envi­ronmental consequences of petroleum-based fuels have made it important to develop sustainable green sources for liquid transportation fuels. One such source is cellulosic biomass. However, high costs associated with transportation and storage of low-density cellulosic biomass has hindered large-scale, cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting can increase biomass density, improve storability, and reduce transportation costs. This paper reviews the state of the art of this technique, covering the effects of different process parameters on pellet quality, pellet charring, pellet crack, and sugar yield. It can be concluded that pellet density increases with an increase in ultrasonic power and pelleting pressure, and with a decrease in biomass moisture content and particle size. However, large ultrasonic power may lead to the charring of cellulosic biomass, which adversely affects the conversion of cellulosic biomass to ethanol. In addition, some problems associated with UV-A pelletingof cellulosic biomass are proposed.

Ultrasonic-Vibration Assisted Pelleting for Cellulosic Biofuel Manufacturing: Investigation on Power Consumption With Design of Experiment

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Pengfei Zhang ◽  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
Graham Pritchett ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Power Consumption ◽  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Alternative Fuels ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Ultrasonic Power ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuel ◽  
Input Parameters ◽  
Two Parameters

Cellulosic biomass is abundantly available in the nature. It is an attractive feedstock to make alternative fuels to petroleum-based transportation fuels. Because of low bulk density and irregular shape, raw biomass materials are difficult to handle, transport, and store. Pelleting can increase the density of cellulosic biomass. Pellets can be easily handled, resulting in reducing their transportation and storage costs. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting is a new pelleting method. Moisture content, particle size, pelleting pressure, and ultrasonic power are four important input parameters affecting pellet quality and sugar yield (proportional to biofuel yield). However, their effects on power consumption in UV-A pelleting have not been adequately investigated. Since power consumption directly affects ethanol manufacturing costs, it is desirable to understand how input parameters affect power consumption. This paper reports an experimental investigation of power consumption in UV-A pelleting. A 24 factorial design is employed to evaluate the effects of four input parameters (moisture content, particle size, pelleting pressure, and ultrasonic power) on power consumption in UV-A pelleting. Results show that three input parameters (moisture content, particle size, and ultrasonic power) significantly affect power consumption. Higher moisture content, lower ultrasonic power, and larger particle size result in higher power consumption. Only one interaction of two parameters is significant, i.e. with the increase of pelleting pressure, power consumption will increase at the high level of particle size while decrease at the low level of particle size.

Effects of Particle Size on Cellulosic Biomass Pellets: A Literature Review

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Q. Zhang ◽  
P. F. Zhang ◽  
Z. J. Pei
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Input Parameter ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Attractive Alternative ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuels ◽  
Pellet Quality ◽  
Biomass Materials ◽  
And Storage

Cellulosic biofuels are becoming an attractive alternative to conventional liquid transportation fuels. Cellulosic biomass is the feedstock for cellulosic biofuel manufacturing. However, high transportation and storage cost of cellulosic biomass due to its low density hinders large-scale and cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels. Pelleting processes are used to produce biomass pellets which have higher density and are easier to handle in transportation and storage. Before going through pelleting processes, original cellulosic biomass materials are milled into particles. The particle size is an important input parameter in pelleting processes. Many investigations have been conducted on effects of biomass particle size on pellet quality (in terms of density, durability, stability, and strength). This paper reviews the literature about effects of particle size on pellet quality. Investigated biomass materials, selected range of particle size, utilized milling and pelleting processes are summarized. The approaches to evaluating pellet quality are also reviewed.

Optimization of Input Variables in Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Pelleting of Cellulosic Biomass Using Multiple Response Surface Methodology

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Pengfei Zhang ◽  
Shing Chang ◽  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
Donghai Wang
Keyword(s):  
Response Surface Methodology ◽  
Response Surface ◽  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Cellulosic Ethanol ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Multiple Response ◽  
Ultrasonic Power ◽  
Pellet Density ◽  
Input Variables ◽  
Multiple Response Surface Methodology

Cellulosic ethanol is an attractive alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. However, low density of cellulosic biomass (the feedstock for cellulosic ethanol) causes high costs in biomass logistics and hinders large-scale and cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic ethanol. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting can significantly increase the density of cellulosic biomass by compressing raw cellulosic biomass into pellets. Pellet density and durability are two important physical properties of a pellet. In this study, a multiple response surface methodology was employed to optimize the input variables (pelleting time, pressure, and ultrasonic power) in UV-A pelleting of sorghum stalks for simultaneously maximized pellet density and durability. Second-order polynomial models were used to fit the experimental results. Main and interaction effects of the input variables on pellet density and durability were also investigated.

Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Pelleting of Sorghum Stalks: Effects of Pressure and Ultrasonic Power

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
P. F. Zhang ◽  
Timothy Deines ◽  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
Donghai Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enzymatic Hydrolysis ◽  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Sugar Yield ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Ultrasonic Power ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuels ◽  
Transportation Fuels ◽  
Low Efficiency

Cellulosic biofuels can be used to replace traditional liquid transportation fuels. Cellulosic biomass is feedstock in manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels. However, the low density of cellulosic biomass feedstock hinders large-scale and cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels. Another bottleneck factor in manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels is the low efficiency of the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass materials resulting in a low sugar yield. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting can increase the density of cellulosic biomass feedstocks via combined effects of mechanical compression and ultrasonic vibration of the tool on the cellulosic biomass. Meanwhile ultrasonic vibration may act as a beneficial pretreatment for enzymatic hydrolysis, which can possibly increase the efficiency of hydrolysis and obtain a higher sugar yield. The pressure and the ultrasonic power are important parameters in UV-A pelleting. Their effects on pellet quality (density, durability, and stability) and sugar yield (after hydrolysis) are experimentally investigated.

Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Pelleting of Cellulosic Biomass: A Preliminary Experiment

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
Donghai Wang ◽  
Robert Clark
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
The Road ◽  
Cellulosic Biofuel ◽  
Plant Matter ◽  
Vibration Assistance ◽  
On The Road ◽  
And Storage

Biofuels produced from cellulosic biomass (such as the fibrous, woody, and generally inedible portions of plant matter) can significantly reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil, create new jobs, improve rural economies, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve national security. However, in the U.S., there are currently no cellulosic biofuel plants in commercial production. Several technical barriers have hindered large-scale cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels. One such barrier is related to the low density of cellulosic feedstocks, causing their transportation and storage to be very expensive. Pelleting biomass can increase the overall efficiency by utilizing existing transportation infrastructure and storage systems for mega-ton quantities. If biomass is pelleted, it can be handled and transported with existing grain handling equipment in the field, on the road, and at the central biorefinery. This paper presents experimental study on ultrasonic vibration assisted pelleting of cellulosic feedstocks. The results show that ultrasonic vibration assistance could increase the mechanical strength of pellets by more than six times and the density by 50%.

An Experimental Comparison of Two Pelleting Methods for Cellulosic Ethanol Manufacturing

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Pengfei Zhang ◽  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
Jonathan Wilson ◽  
Leland McKinney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cellulosic Ethanol ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Experimental Comparison ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Manufacturing Costs ◽  
Transportation Fuels ◽  
Pellet Density ◽  
Energy Consumptions ◽  
Preliminary Research ◽  
And Storage

Ethanol produced from cellulosic biomass is an alternative to petroleum-based transportation fuels. However, manufacturing costs of cellulosic ethanol are too high to be competitive. Low density of cellulosic feedstocks increases their handling and transportation costs, contributing to high overall costs of cellulosic ethanol manufacturing. Pelleting can increase density of cellulosic feedstocks, reduce transportation and storage costs, and make cellulosic ethanol production more competitive. UV-A (ultrasonic vibration-assisted) pelleting is a new pelleting method (available only in lab scale now). Preliminary research showed that UV-A pelleting could significantly increase pellet density and pellet durability but it has never been compared with other pelleting methods (e.g., using an extruder, a briquetting press or a ring-die pelleting). The objectives of this research are to compare UV-A pelleting with ring-die pelleting in terms of pellet density, pellet durability, energy consumptions of pelleting. The results will be useful to find a better pelleting method for cellulosic ethanol manufacturing.

Ultrasonic-Vibration Assisted Pelleting for Cellulosic Ethanol Manufacturing: Effects of Particle Size and Moisture Content on Power Consumption

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Zhang ◽  
Pengfei Zhang ◽  
Graham Pritchett ◽  
Z. J. Pei ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Power Consumption ◽  
Ultrasonic Vibration ◽  
Cellulosic Ethanol ◽  
Cellulosic Biomass ◽  
Manufacturing Costs ◽  
Transportation Fuels ◽  
Higher Power ◽  
Input Variables

Ethanol produced from cellulosic materials is an alternative to petroleum-based transportation fuels. However, its manufacturing costs are too high to be competitive at present. Raw cellulosic biomass materials have low density, causing their transportation and handling expensive, contributing to high manufacturing costs of cellulosic ethanol. Pelleting can increase the density of cellulosic biomass and reduce their transportation and handling costs. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) pelleting is a new pelleting method. Earlier studies show that moisture content and particle size have significant effects on pellet quality and sugar yield. However, their effects on power consumption in UV-A pelleting have not been studied. Since power consumption directly affects ethanol manufacturing costs, it is desirable to understand how input variables affect power consumption. The objective of this paper is to study effects of moisture content and particle size on power consumption in UV-A pelleting of wheat straw. Results show that higher moisture content and larger particle size result in higher power consumption.

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