Open AccessMobile Biomass Pelletizing System
Author(s) -
T. N. Mason
Publication year - 2009
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/951201
Subject(s) - pelletizing , process engineering , environmental science , heat exchanger , work (physics) , waste management , engineering , mechanical engineering , pellets , materials science , composite material
This grant project examines multiple aspects of the pelletizing process to determine the feasibility of pelletizing biomass using a mobile form factor system. These aspects are: the automatic adjustment of the die height in a rotary-style pellet mill, the construction of the die head to allow the use of ceramic materials for extreme wear, integrating a heat exchanger network into the entire process from drying to cooling, the use of superheated steam for adjusting the moisture content to optimum, the economics of using diesel power to operate the system; a break-even analysis of estimated fixed operating costs vs. tons per hour capacity. Initial development work has created a viable mechanical model. The overall analysis of this model suggests that pelletizing can be economically done using a mobile platform