Tag Archives: biomass
What To Do With Wood Waste
Waste is an issue for many wood processors. It isn’t a new problem, but it has confounded many an industry veteran since air-quality regulations outmoded teepee burners. Fortunately, wood-processing companies have more options in 2021 than they’ve had in past decades, not only for getting rid of their waste but for making it into value-added […]
Characteristics of Biomass and Biomass Ash
Bulk, fibrous biomass is notoriously challenging to handle. This fact should not prevent investment in biomass-derived products, however. It’s being done successfully every day, but it takes special knowledge, experience, and machinery. Engineers working on biomass projects must educate facility owners on the best solution for handling the material. Identifying this solution, of course, begins […]
Biomass Storage Overview
As the demand for natural materials and alternative energy sources has grown, so has the number of investments in biomass facilities. We’ve witnessed a striking number of new biomass power plants and pellet mills that utilize wood in the past decade. We’ve also seen investments into processing nonwoody, cellulosic materials like hemp, miscanthus, stover, and […]
How to Consistently Blend Biomass
Prior to 2020, Drax, a British power supplier, purchased fuel pellets based on volume. They learned during that time that not all pellets are created equal. The company was paying the same price for fuel no matter its BTU value. This meant the company was paying more per BTU in some shiploads than others, and […]
Considerations for Conveyors that Handle Hot Materials
At thirteen years old, I didn’t realize polystyrene would melt in the microwave. So, I expected my foam bowl to hold up as I heated my instant mac and cheese. Of course, I was disappointed in the result, if not a bit hangry as I avoided what plastic-tainted noodles I could as I ate supper. […]
Drag Conveyors Would Help Lignocellulosic Ethanol Plants
In May 2018, Purdue University announced it had received a $1.8 million grant to study ways to break down lignocellulosic biomass into slurry. According to Purdue, what prompted this grant is that lignocellulosic biomass at ethanol plants too often plugs the augers used to convey it, which forces the plants to shut down while maintenance […]
