Moisture Management for Lignocellulosic Biomass

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In Canada, large amounts of lignocellulosic biomass in the form of forest and agricultural residues constitute renewable resources for conversion into biofuels using a variety of technologies. Canada has been a major exporter of densified biomass in the form of wood pellets in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue. The immediate use of these residues after harvest is often unfeasible due to their high moisture content which affects the calorific value, storage properties, transport costs and the pricing of the fuel. Drying is necessary whether the biomass is intended to be used in densified or non-densified form. Moreover, storage of biomass with higher moisture content could have safety and health concerns. The overarching goal of the proposed research project is to investigate the technical feasibility of biodrying as an alternative drying technique, which is expected to reduce energy consumption compared to conventional methods. Another major objective is to determine the optimal conditions and ventilation strategy for stored wood pellets. The long-term objective is to investigate technologies that can enhance the sustainability of the biomass recycling industry.