Comminution

Flowability of Crumbler Rotary Shear Size-Reduced Granular Biomass: An Experiment-Informed Modeling Study on the Angle of Repose

/ Publications, Comminution, Crumbler, Crumbles, Forest Concepts Bioenergy, Forest Concepts Research & Development

Abstract Biomass has potential as a carbon-neutral alternative to petroleum for chemical and energy products. However, complete replacement of fossil fuel is contingent upon efficient processes to eliminate undesirable characteristics of biomass, e.g., low bulk density, variability, and storage-induced quality problems. Mechanical size reduction via comminution is a processing operation to engineer favorable biomass flowability […]

Flowability of Crumbler Rotary Shear Size-Reduced Granular Biomass: An Experiment-Informed Modeling Study on the Angle of Repose Read More »

Measurement of Transport Properties of Woody Biomass Feedstock Particles Before and After Pyrolysis by Numerical Analysis of X-Ray Tomographic Reconstructions

/ Publications, Comminution, Crumbler, Crumbles, Forest Concepts Bioenergy, Forest Concepts Research & Development

Abstract Lignocellulosic biomass has a complex, species-specific microstructure that governs heat and mass transport during conversion processes. A quantitative understanding of the evolution of pore size and structure is critical to optimize conversion processes for biofuel and bio-based chemical production. Further, improving our understanding of the microstructure of biochar coproduct will accelerate development of its

Measurement of Transport Properties of Woody Biomass Feedstock Particles Before and After Pyrolysis by Numerical Analysis of X-Ray Tomographic Reconstructions Read More »

Investigation of Cutter-Woodchip Contact Pressure in a New Biomass Comminution System

/ Publications, Comminution, Crumbler, Crumbles

Abstract A Crumbler® rotary shear system was recently developed to process fuel-grade woodchips into feedstocks having more uniform particle sizes for improved flowability and higher thermochemical output yield than a traditional hammer mill. It represents a significant innovation in the state of the art of biomass comminution equipment. However, the milling unit has experienced significant

Investigation of Cutter-Woodchip Contact Pressure in a New Biomass Comminution System Read More »

Production of corn stover feedstocks using rotary shear mill and screen system

/ Publications, Comminution, Crumbler, Crumbles, Forest Concepts Bioenergy

Abstract Baled corn stover at 10% +/- moisture (wet-basis) was comminuted and sorted to obtain a particle size with a geometric mean diameter (Xgm) of 1.34 mm and particle size distribution to match the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) feedstock used to produce densified corn stover pellets for this project. Comminution (milling) was performed using four

Production of corn stover feedstocks using rotary shear mill and screen system Read More »

Wood chips in Crumbler

Woody Biomass Size Reduction with Selective Material Orientation

/ Comminution, Crumbler, Erosion Control, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract  Roundwood logs from forests and energy plantations must be chipped, ground, or otherwise comminuted into small particles prior to conversion to solid or liquid biofuels. Results & discussion: Rotary veneer followed by cross-grain shearing is demonstrated to be a novel and low energy consuming method for primary breakdown of logs into a raw material

Woody Biomass Size Reduction with Selective Material Orientation Read More »

Crumbler Cutterset

Beneficiation of Chipped and Shredded Woody Biomass

/ Comminution, Crumbler, Forest Concepts Bioenergy, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract Forest Concepts, with funding from USDA NIFA SBIR program, developed methods and equipment to reprocess low-value dirty forest chips, tree service chips, and hog fuel into high value clean wood fiber and other valuable fractions. Traditional clean sources of mill residuals (sawdust, shavings, and chips) are declining rapidly due to improved sawmilling efficiencies and

Beneficiation of Chipped and Shredded Woody Biomass Read More »

Crumbles with Hand

Shear Processing of Wood Chips into Feedstock Particles

/ Publications, Comminution, Crumbler, Forest Concepts Research & Development

Abstract We have an objective to convert cellulosic biomass raw materials into small particles that are optimized for biochemical and/or thermochemical conversion to liquid transportation fuels. As a side effort, we are interested in producing feedstocks for composite bioproducts, solid biofuels, and other uses. Wood chips that have a typical length of 50mm are a

Shear Processing of Wood Chips into Feedstock Particles Read More »

Crumbles Pile

Low-Energy Comminution of Woody Biomass to Create Precision Feedstock Particles

/ Comminution, Forest Concepts Bioenergy, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract  Under funding from DOE Office of Biomass Programs, engineers at Forest Concepts are working to apply low-energy comminution methods to produce improved biomass particle geometry and sizes optimal for biochemical and thermochemical conversion to liquid transportation fuels. Designs are constrained to concurrently achieve the DOE Uniform Feedstock Format criteria for bulk handling and flowability.

Low-Energy Comminution of Woody Biomass to Create Precision Feedstock Particles Read More »

Simple experimental set up with EC meter, timer, and hot plate stirring device

Application of Buckmaster Electrolyte Ion Leakage Test to Woody Biofuel Feedstocks

/ Comminution, Forest Concepts Bioenergy, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract In an earlier ASABE paper, Buckmaster reported that ion conductivity of biomass leachate in aqueous solution was directly correlated with activity access to plant nutrients within the biomass materials for subsequent biological or chemical processing. The Buckmaster test involves placing a sample of the particles in a beaker of constant-temperature deionized water and monitoring

Application of Buckmaster Electrolyte Ion Leakage Test to Woody Biofuel Feedstocks Read More »

Motor mount swing, torque arm, and force transducer

Torque-Arm Method to Measure Specific Energy in Laboratory Scale Biomass Preprocessing Equipment

/ Comminution, Forest Concepts Bioenergy, Forest Concepts Research & Development, Publications

Abstract  Specific energy for comminution and mechanical processing of lignocellulosic feedstocks provides an economically important basis to compare equipment and to provide data for lifecycle analysis of complete systems. Measurement of specific energy during equipment design and development activities enables optimization of design parameters. Forest Concepts developed a torque-arm apparatus and LabView data acquisition method

Torque-Arm Method to Measure Specific Energy in Laboratory Scale Biomass Preprocessing Equipment Read More »