Purdue University receives grant from DOE to minimize blockages in lignocellulosic biorefineries
Type of post: NEWS IN BRIEF.
Materials handling issues are
very important in being able to scale up technology for converting cellulosic feedstocks
into ethanol. Lignocellulosic biomass often accumulates and compacts while
moving through augers, forcing costly shutdowns for cleaning and repairs. A research
team will receive a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE)
Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) to solve that kind of problems (see press
release, 29/5/2018).
Goal
|
To transform solid biomass into a slurry that can act more
like a liquid flowing freely through material transportation systems in
biorefineries.
|
Methodology
|
- To create models to
predict the physical properties necessary for a liquid-like flow of solid
materials.
- To create regime maps for
robust operation, which would tell engineers and operators how to adjust
screw feeder and reactor operating parameters
- To develop methods for
modifying the biomass to meet the models’ specifications, changing particle
size, shape and charge.
|
Feedstocks
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Researchers will start with corn stover.
The work could be the foundation to develop similar technology
for other biomass products as wood chips, soybean hulls and wheat straw.
|
Leader
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- Departments of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Mechanical
Engineering and Materials Engineering
- Discovery Park Energy Center
- Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering (LORRE)
- Center for Particulate Products and Processes (CP3)
|
Partners
|
National laboratories:
- Argonne National Laboratory
- Idaho National Laboratory
Industrial partners:
- Forest concepts
- AdvanceBio systems
|
Grant
|
1.8 M$.
The total funding will amount to 2.3 M$ with cost share
from partners.
|
Figure 1. Mechanical engineering
doctoral student working on computer simulation of biomass particle movement
through a screw conveyor (courtesy of Purdue Ag Communication)
