Evaluation of Converting Oat Hulls into Biomass Fuel Pellets****

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Solid biomass fuel pellets have the potential to displace fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal in space heating and power applications. The source of feedstock for such biomass pellets is a major determining factor of its economic feasibility. Agricultural process waste streams which can be rich in fibre content offer a promising feedstock alternative. Oat hulls, which are predominantly fibre, are the most significant by-product of oat milling, with one third (by weight) of the incoming oat converted into a hull stream that currently has limited commercial potential. However, with its low density (even after it's ground into a finer product) and difficulty in material handling and shipping, the economic value of the hulls remains low. Emerson Milling Inc. is one of the largest oat milling facilities in Manitoba, processing approximately 300 tons/day of oats and generating approximately 100 tons/day of oat hulls as a by-product. They have expressed keen interest in adding value to their oat hulls by exploring biofuel pellet production opportunities. This projects aims to closely collaborate with Emerson Milling Inc. and answer a number of important questions around the technical and economic feasibility of producing (optimizing pelletization), shipping (pellet durability), and use (calorific value, ash content, and air emissions) of biofuel pellets from oat hulls. The project will have local economic benefits, reduce carbon emissions and therefore carbon taxes, and provide rural diversification. The environmental benefits will come in the form of lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduction of non-renewable power usage. The potential of extracting plant available nutrients from the biomass ash could also result in the production of a renewable fertilizer product.********