Chapter 10: Biomass Handling System
Mech 4840 Steam Plant Engineering
Jake Young B00451186 October 2, 2009
Why is the Handling System so important?
Metering the fuel feed system is an important aspect of the biomass gasification plant because it is used to control the entire process. The handling system controls the flow rate of fuel into the gasifier. If the flow is variable then the gasifier will not maintain the desired temperatures and will not be as efficient.
The problem
Unlike liquids, the biomass solids do not deform under shear stresses (causes jamming) and this is why the storage and handling of biomass is so important. Reasons for many shutdown incidents of biomass gasifier plants can be traced to the failure of the biomass handling system. Some biomass contains rocks and other debris when it arrives at the plant.
Biomass Handling System
The Biomass Handling System can be broken down into 5 stages:
Biomass receiving First Stage Screening (Optional) Storage Feed preparation Conveying Feeding
Biomass Receiving
The Biomass is first transported via truck or rail-car and unloaded at the receiving station.
First Stage Screening (optional)
Sometimes depending on the type of biomass there is a first stage screening to remove foreign materials.
Storage
Once received (or screened) the biomass is transported by conveyor belt to one of the 2 types of storage types:
Above ground storage for large biomass Silo or bunker for enclosed storage of smaller biomass.
Above Ground Storage
Silo or Bunker Storage
Retrieval from Storage
The following are some methods of biomass retrieval from storage
Simple gravity feed or chute Screw type auger feed Conveyor belt Pneumatic blower Pumped flow Bucket conveyor Front loader Bucket grab
Feed Peparation
Once retrieved the biomass is transported to the Feed Preparation System because biomass can not be fed directly into the gasifier for the following reasons
Presence of foreign materials like rocks and metals Unacceptable level of moisture in biomass Too large (or uneven) in size
The feed preparation process consists of
Screening Drying Sizing
Screening
The most common foreign materials that must be removed are:
Stones Ferrous metals like iron Non-ferrous metals like aluminum
This is why there is a screening (possibly second) process that consists of
De-stoner Non-ferrous metal separators Magnetic metal separation
De-stoner
The purpose of a de-stoner is to separate heavier-than-biomass materials like glass, stones and metals. Typically use vibratory actions in series with airflow to separate materials according to specific gravity.
Non-Ferrous Metal Separators
Uses an eddy current to separate according to specific mass and resistivity
Magnetic Metal Separation
Use powerful magnets for separation of iron and other magnetic materials.
Drying
Freshly cut biomass can contain up to 40-60% surface moisture and a gasification process typically requires moisture to be less than 1015%. Use heat in the flue gas or external sources of heat to reduce moisture levels. If moisture is not removed then the gasifier can not reach high enough temperatures and the efficiency of the plant is decreased.
Sizing
Typical equipment that are used for cutting biomass into different sizes.
Chunker: 250 to 50 mm Chipper: 50 to 5 mm Grinder: <80 mm Pulverizer: dust <100 micrometers
Conveying
Once the biomass prepared, it is then transported to the hopper which gravity feeds the feeder.
Hopper
6 Main Types of Feeders
Gravity Chute Screw Conveyor Pneumatic Injection Rotary Spreader Moving Hole Feeder Belt Feeder
Gravity Chute
Screw Conveyor
Pneumatic Injection
Rotary Spreader
Moving Hole Feeder
Belt Feeder
Mode of Fuel Injection in Fluidized Beds
Over-Bed System handles coarser particles Under-Bed System handles fine particles
References
Google Images Chapter 10: Biomass Handling System by Dr. Basu
