Biomass Densification for Minimal Drying Energy and Optimised Pellet Quality

该项目将开发一种新型的整体生物质造粒工艺，旨在最大限度地减少干燥能量并提高颗粒质量。该系统将包括一个基于新技术的低碳干燥系统，如太阳能干燥窑，结合热回收选项。其目的是利用亚热带环境，以尽量减少干燥的能源消耗。将研究将烘焙和造粒结合到一个系统中的可能性，以及更高含水量的生物质，以减少干燥和运输要求。此外，将探索在干燥过程中使用烘焙的气态副产物的潜力。将进行生物质资源的全面表征，并在整个系统开发之前调查该过程每个阶段的可用选项。该项目将涉及与工业赞助商的合作，以了解造粒过程，生产生物质颗粒的环境以及全面运营所面临的挑战。通过使用生命周期分析（LCA）评估系统选项，可以确定最佳的低能耗过程并与现有系统进行比较。与工业合作伙伴合作，目标是在项目期间在全尺寸系统上实施新型干燥系统。

This project will develop a novel holistic biomass pelleting process, which will aim to minimise drying energy and improve pellet quality. The system will include a low carbon drying system based around novel technologies, such as solar drying kilns, combined with heat recovery options. The aim will be to exploit the sub-tropical environment to minimise energy consumption for drying. The potential to incorporate torrefaction and pelleting into one system in conjunction with higher moisture contents biomasses will be investigated to reduce drying and transport requirements. Additionally, the potential to use the gaseous co-product of torrefaction in the drying process will be explored. Full characterisation of biomass resources will be conducted, and the options available at each stage of the process will be investigated prior to the development of the full system. The project will involve placements with the industrial sponsor to understand the pelleting process, the environment in which biomass pellets are produced, and the challenges involved in full-scale operations. By assessing the system options with Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), the optimal low energy process can be identified and compared to existing systems. In collaboration with the industrial partner, the objective will be to implement the novel drying system on a full-scale system during the project.