Biomass Densification

This monograph discusses the various biomass feedstocks currently available for biofuels production, and mechanical preprocessing technologies to reduce the feedstock variability for biofuels applications. Variability in the properties of biomass—in terms of moisture, particle size distribution, and low-density—results in storage, transportation, handling, and feeding issues. Currently, biorefineries face serious particle bridging issues, uneven discharge, jamming of equipment, and transportation problems. These issues must be solved in order for smooth operations to be possible. Mechanical preprocessing technologies, such as size reduction, densification, and moisture management using drying and dewatering, can help to overcome these issues. Many densification systems exist that will assist in converting low-density biomass to a high-density commodity type feedstock. In 6 chapters, the impact of densification process variables, such as temperature, pressure, moisture, etc., on biomass particle agglomeration, the quality of the densified products, and the overall energy consumption of the process are discussed, as are the various compression models for powders that can be used for biomass particles agglomeration behavior and optimization of the densification process using statistical and evolutionary methods. The suitability of these densified products for biochemical and thermochemical conversion pathways is also discussed, as well as the various international standards (CEN and ISO) they must adhere to. The author has worked on biomass preprocessing at Idaho National Laboratory for the last ten years. He is the principal investigator for the U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office-funded “Biomass Size Reduction and Densification” project. He has developed preprocessing technologies to reduce cost and improve quality. The author has published many papers and books focused on biomass preprocessing and pretreatments. Biomass process engineers and biorefinery managers can benefit from this book. Students in chemical, mechanical, biological, and environmental engineering can also use the book to understand preprocessing technologies, which greatly assist in improving the biomass critical material attributes. The book can help policymakers and energy systems planners to understand the biomass properties limitations and technologies to overcome the same.

Microbial Fermentation of Biowastes summarizes new advances in the development of various strategies for enhanced microbial fermentation for organic waste conversion to bioenergy/biochemicals, and for biodegradation of plastic waste. Sections cover principles of additive strategies, multi-stage bioreactors, microbial bioaugmentation strategies, genetically engineered microorganisms, co-digestion strategies, feedstock pre-treatment strategies, enzyme technologies, and hybrid technologies methods. In addition, the book reviews progress in the conversion of common wastes to bioenergy and biochemicals via enhanced anaerobic digestion, also summarizing the significant progress achieved on enhancing anaerobic digestion via additive strategy, multi-stage bioreactor strategy, microbial bioaugmentation strategy, genetic engineering approach, and much more. Includes enhancing strategies for microbial fermentation technologies for biowastes conversion to bioenergy and biochemicals Provides progress on bioenergy/resource recovery from common biowastes, including food waste, agricultural waste, manure, wastewater and algal residues Includes microbial biodegradation of plastic waste

This book takes the reader on a journey from the moment that raw wood material enters the factory to the final pellet consumption. It starts by reviewing biomass application and its role for the future development of renewable energies, discussing different biomass conversion methods as alternatives to direct utilization. The second chapter then comprehensively examines densification processes, with a focus on the pelleting process. Chapter three further elaborates on the pelleting process, including an overview of the pellet structure and properties, and the history of this process. The subsequent chapters provide a detailed account of the production process from raw material delivery to final distribution, addressing the chemical and physical quality, and presenting measurement methods and standards. In the final chapters, the authors describe in detail the pellet combustion process and emissions.

This book highlights the recent research works on mechanical, manufacturing and plant engineering presented during the 7th International Conference on Mechanical, Manufacturing and Plant Engineering (ICMMPE 2021) held on 29th November 2021. It highlights the latest advances in the emerging areas, brings together researchers and professionals in the field and provides a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and fostering collaboration. Addressing real-world problems concerning joining technologies that are at the heart of various manufacturing sectors, the respective papers present the outcomes of the latest experimental and numerical work on problems in soldering, arc welding and solid-state joining technologies.

Considering the deleterious impacts of fossil fuels on the environmental and natural ecosystems, it has become imperative to make a paradigm shift toward renewable fuels, chemicals, and materials. The exhaustive everyday usage of fossil fuels and processed petrochemical products are the leading causes for the increase in greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, climate changes, acid rain, ozone layer depletion, pollution of air, water, and soil as well as for the accumulation of nonbiodegradable materials in the soil and oceans. On the contrary, biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials derived from renewable wastes such as nonedible plant biomass (e.g., agricultural and forestry biomass), energy crops, microalgae, municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, and other biogenic residues seem to be carbon neutral. Therefore, the global interest in biorefining technologies, especially thermochemical and biological conversion processes, is gaining momentum in academic and industrial perspectives. Progressive Thermochemical Biorefining Technologies offers all-inclusive coverage of the most crucial topics as follows: State-of-the-art information on the production and utilization of biofuels through thermochemical biorefining technologies Conversion of waste biomass through pyrolysis, liquefaction, torrefaction, carbonization, gasification, reforming, and other clean technologies Waste-to-energy/chemical generation Fuel upgrading technologies Techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment of biorefining processes Specifically designed to be instantly applicable, this volume serves as a reference book for undergraduate and graduate students, scientific investigators, and research scholars working in the areas relating to energy and fuels.