The Experts below are selected from a list of 315 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Donghai Wang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a fundamental research on synchronized torrefaction and Pelleting of biomass
Renewable Energy, 2019Co-Authors: Yang Yang, Donghai Wang, Meng Zhang, Ke Zhang, Mingman Sun, Catherine LeiAbstract:Abstract Synchronized torrefaction and Pelleting (STP) was developed as a laboratory scale process to produce torrefied pellets with a single biomass material loading. Two fuel upgrading actions (torrefaction and Pelleting) happened simultaneously with the assistance of ultrasonic vibration. It was found that STP elevated biomass temperature to above 200 °C in less than one minute and initiated torrefaction while biomass was pelletized in a mold. A feasibility study showed that STP consistently produced torrefied pellets with improved physical, thermochemical, and hygroscopic properties as an upgraded fuel for biomass co-combustion. STP was effective at enhancing the density and durability of torrefied pellets. Elemental analysis of torrefied biomass material showed increased carbon content, indicating higher heating values of torrefied pellets over non-torrefied biomass. Thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier-transform infrared analysis revealed loss of hydrogen and oxygen-rich matters during STP. Finally, greater hydrophobicity of torrefied pellets was exhibited by less water and vapor absorption compared with non-torrefied biomass.
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ultrasonic Pelleting of torrefied lignocellulosic biomass for bioenergy production
Renewable Energy, 2018Co-Authors: Xiaoxu Song, Meng Zhang, Yang Yang, Ke Zhang, Donghai WangAbstract:Abstract Torrefaction has been explored to increase the heating value and hydrophobicity of biomass. Pellets made from torrefied biomass can be used as a high-quality feedstock in gasification and as a substitute for coal in power plants. One existing challenge is that Pelleting torrefied biomass is more difficult under the same operating conditions as used for Pelleting untreated biomass. To address this challenge, this study employed ultrasonic vibration as an assistance to densify torrefied wheat straw biomass into pellets. Biomass with different severities of torrefaction was produced. Pellet properties and Pelleting energy consumption were investigated. It was found torrefied wheat straw biomass could be densified into pellets of good quality with the assistance of ultrasonic vibration; whereas, with the same Pelleting pressure but without ultrasonic vibration, good pellets could barely be made. It was also observed that the densities of torrefied biomass pellets were lower than the untreated biomass pellets. However, pellets made from biomass torrefied at a higher temperature had a higher durability. It was also found the energy density and heating value were enhanced as the severity of torrefaction increased. In addition, the energy consumption for Pelleting torrefied biomass was higher than untreated biomass under the same Pelleting condition.
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investigation on characteristics of corn stover and sorghum stalk processed by ultrasonic vibration assisted Pelleting
Renewable Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Z J Pei, Donghai WangAbstract:Abstract Cellulosic ethanol produced from cellulosic biomass is an alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. The cost-effectiveness of cellulosic ethanol manufacturing has been hindered by several technical barriers. One such barrier is that low density of biomass causes high costs of biomass transportation, handling, and storage. Another barrier is low sugar yield in enzymatic hydrolysis, making enzymatic hydrolysis an expensive and slow step. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting of cellulosic biomass can increase its density and reduce the costs of biomass transportation and handling. In addition, sugar yield of biomass pellets processed by UV-A Pelleting was higher than that of particles (unpelleted biomass) with diluted acid pretreatment. The reason that UV-A Pelleting could increase sugar yield of biomass is still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate reasons that UV-A Pelleting combined with diluted acid pretreatment could increase sugar yield of biomass. High sugar yield is preferred to achieve high ethanol yield. Effects of UV-A Pelleting on biomass characteristics (such as chemical composition, crystallinity index, thermal properties, and morphological structure) were investigated. The results showed there was no significant difference in chemical composition between pellets and particles. However, crystallinity of biomass increased after UV-A Pelleting. In addition, pellets had higher decomposition temperature than particles, indicating that pellets were more thermally stable than particles. Examinations on morphological structure of biomass showed that softened surface regions of biomass were removed and cellulose microfibrils were revealed after UV-A Pelleting.
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Ultrasonic vibration-assisted Pelleting of cellulosic biomass for ethanol manufacturing: An investigation on Pelleting temperature
Renewable Energy, 2016Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Zhijian Pei, Malgorzata J. Rys, Donghai Wang, Jiping ZhouAbstract:Abstract Ethanol made from cellulosic biomass is an alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. However, large-scale manufacturing of cellulosic ethanol is hindered by the low density of cellulosic biomass. Experiments have shown that ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting could compress low-density raw biomass into high-density pellets, and Pelleting temperature increased during Pelleting process. However, Pelleting temperature was not fully investigated. This paper reports an investigation on Pelleting temperature in UV-A Pelleting of wheat straw. The precision of temperature measurement was first evaluated. Relationships between Pelleting temperature and Pelleting time were then investigated. Also, the pattern of Pelleting temperature distribution was evaluated by ranking the Pelleting temperatures at six different locations in a pellet. Finally, effects of three input variables (ultrasonic power, Pelleting pressure, and pellet weight) on Pelleting temperature were discussed. Results reported in this paper are the foundation of a follow-up paper reporting relationship between Pelleting temperature and pellet quality (density, durability, and sugar yield).
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Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting of wheat straw: a constitutive model for pellet density.
Ultrasonics, 2015Co-Authors: Xiaoxu Song, Zhijian Pei, Meng Zhang, Donghai WangAbstract:Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting can increase cellulosic biomass density and reduce biomass handling and transportation costs in cellulosic biofuel manufacturing. Effects of input variables on pellet density in UV-A Pelleting have been studied experimentally. However, there are no reports on modeling of pellet density in UV-A Pelleting. Furthermore, in the literature, most reported density models in other Pelleting methods of biomass are empirical. This paper presents a constitutive model to predict pellet density in UV-A Pelleting. With the predictive model, relations between input variables (ultrasonic power and Pelleting pressure) and pellet density are predicted. The predicted relations are compared with those determined experimentally in the literature. Model predictions agree well with reported experimental results.
Qi Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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predictive temperature modeling and experimental investigation of ultrasonic vibration assisted Pelleting of wheat straw
Applied Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Zhenzhen Shi, Majid JaberidourakiAbstract:Abstract Ethanol made from cellulosic biomass is an alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. However, large-scale manufacturing of cellulosic ethanol is hindered by several factors. The main factor driving this hindrance is the low density of cellulosic biomass. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted Pelleting can effectively increase cellulosic biomass density by compressing raw biomass into pellets, reducing transportation and storage costs. Pelleting temperature has also been identified as a key parameter influencing pellet quality. In this paper, a predictive mathematical model of Pelleting temperature using spatio-temporal dynamics was developed to study multiple factors affecting temperature rise through Pelleting. The mathematical model was then validated with experimental data along with high goodness of fit (average R 2 > 0.83 ). Effects of three input variables (ultrasonic power, Pelleting pressure, and pellet weight) on temperature ranges (highest temperature point and lowest temperature point) were investigated using a 2 3 (two levels and three variables) factorial design. Our results indicated that friction between mold and biomass has a marginal effect on the temperature profiles, and demonstrated the highest and lowest temperature points are significantly correlated to the input variables (ultrasonic power, pellet weight, and pellet pressure) and their interaction effects. The proposed mathematical model delivers a new guideline by avoiding unnecessary experiments and provides a systematic understanding of temperature profiles during the biomass Pelleting process. Knowledge transferred from the current study fulfills the literature gap between mathematical modeling research and an optimal, ultrasonic, vibration-assisted Pelleting process; and, therefore, provides insight into improving biomass quality in energy-related ultrasonic manufacturing.
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investigation on characteristics of corn stover and sorghum stalk processed by ultrasonic vibration assisted Pelleting
Renewable Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Z J Pei, Donghai WangAbstract:Abstract Cellulosic ethanol produced from cellulosic biomass is an alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. The cost-effectiveness of cellulosic ethanol manufacturing has been hindered by several technical barriers. One such barrier is that low density of biomass causes high costs of biomass transportation, handling, and storage. Another barrier is low sugar yield in enzymatic hydrolysis, making enzymatic hydrolysis an expensive and slow step. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting of cellulosic biomass can increase its density and reduce the costs of biomass transportation and handling. In addition, sugar yield of biomass pellets processed by UV-A Pelleting was higher than that of particles (unpelleted biomass) with diluted acid pretreatment. The reason that UV-A Pelleting could increase sugar yield of biomass is still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate reasons that UV-A Pelleting combined with diluted acid pretreatment could increase sugar yield of biomass. High sugar yield is preferred to achieve high ethanol yield. Effects of UV-A Pelleting on biomass characteristics (such as chemical composition, crystallinity index, thermal properties, and morphological structure) were investigated. The results showed there was no significant difference in chemical composition between pellets and particles. However, crystallinity of biomass increased after UV-A Pelleting. In addition, pellets had higher decomposition temperature than particles, indicating that pellets were more thermally stable than particles. Examinations on morphological structure of biomass showed that softened surface regions of biomass were removed and cellulose microfibrils were revealed after UV-A Pelleting.
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Effects of Die Size on Pellet Quality for Cellulosic Ethanol Manufacturing
Volume 2: Materials; Biomanufacturing; Properties Applications and Systems; Sustainable Manufacturing, 2016Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Jiping Zhou, Lin Heng, Zhichao LiAbstract:Cellulosic ethanol can be used as a sustainable alternative transportation fuel. A major obstacle to restrict large-scale cellulosic ethanol manufacturing is low bulk density of cellulosic biomass that increases costs during transportation, storage and application of biomass. Biomass Pelleting can significantly increase density of biomass. Pellets with high density can be handled, transported, stored and utilized easily. Ring-die Pelleting, a traditional Pelleting method, is widely used in biomass densification industry. This paper reported an experimental study to compare pellet quality (such as equilibrium moisture content, density, and durability) and microstructure of corn stover processed by a ring-die pellet mill with three different die sizes. Results showed that round and bigger die (32 mm instead of 9 mm) results in higher pellet density, durability, and lower equilibrium moisture content.
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Ultrasonic vibration-assisted Pelleting of cellulosic biomass for ethanol manufacturing: An investigation on Pelleting temperature
Renewable Energy, 2016Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Zhijian Pei, Malgorzata J. Rys, Donghai Wang, Jiping ZhouAbstract:Abstract Ethanol made from cellulosic biomass is an alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. However, large-scale manufacturing of cellulosic ethanol is hindered by the low density of cellulosic biomass. Experiments have shown that ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting could compress low-density raw biomass into high-density pellets, and Pelleting temperature increased during Pelleting process. However, Pelleting temperature was not fully investigated. This paper reports an investigation on Pelleting temperature in UV-A Pelleting of wheat straw. The precision of temperature measurement was first evaluated. Relationships between Pelleting temperature and Pelleting time were then investigated. Also, the pattern of Pelleting temperature distribution was evaluated by ranking the Pelleting temperatures at six different locations in a pellet. Finally, effects of three input variables (ultrasonic power, Pelleting pressure, and pellet weight) on Pelleting temperature were discussed. Results reported in this paper are the foundation of a follow-up paper reporting relationship between Pelleting temperature and pellet quality (density, durability, and sugar yield).
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Comparison of two Pelleting methods for cellulosic ethanol manufacturing: ultrasonic vibration-assisted Pelleting vs. ring-die Pelleting
Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2015Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Jonathan Wilson, Lin Heng, Pengfei Zhang, Zhijian Pei, Donghai Wang, Jiping ZhouAbstract:Cellulosic ethanol made from cellulosic biomass is a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. One of the major challenges to cost effectiveness of cellulosic ethanol manufacturing is low density of raw cellulosic biomass that causes high costs of biomass transportation and storage. Pelleting can significantly increase biomass density,resulting in reducing the transportation and storage costs. Ring-die Pelleting, a traditional Pelleting method, generally involves high-temperature steam and high pressure, and often use binder materials. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting is a new Pelleting method without using high-temperature steam, high pressure, and binder materials. This paper reports an experimental study to compare pellet quality (density and durability), sugar yield, temperature, energy consumption, microstructure of corn stover processed by UV-A Pelleting and ring-die Pelleting with two level of sieve size (3.2 and 9.5 mm). Results showed that pellets produced by UV-A Pelleting had comparable density, durability, and sugar yield as those produced by ring-die Pelleting. UV-A Pelleting required higher energy consumption than ring-die Pelleting and produced higher temperature than ring-die Pelleting.
Pengfei Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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predictive temperature modeling and experimental investigation of ultrasonic vibration assisted Pelleting of wheat straw
Applied Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Zhenzhen Shi, Majid JaberidourakiAbstract:Abstract Ethanol made from cellulosic biomass is an alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. However, large-scale manufacturing of cellulosic ethanol is hindered by several factors. The main factor driving this hindrance is the low density of cellulosic biomass. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted Pelleting can effectively increase cellulosic biomass density by compressing raw biomass into pellets, reducing transportation and storage costs. Pelleting temperature has also been identified as a key parameter influencing pellet quality. In this paper, a predictive mathematical model of Pelleting temperature using spatio-temporal dynamics was developed to study multiple factors affecting temperature rise through Pelleting. The mathematical model was then validated with experimental data along with high goodness of fit (average R 2 > 0.83 ). Effects of three input variables (ultrasonic power, Pelleting pressure, and pellet weight) on temperature ranges (highest temperature point and lowest temperature point) were investigated using a 2 3 (two levels and three variables) factorial design. Our results indicated that friction between mold and biomass has a marginal effect on the temperature profiles, and demonstrated the highest and lowest temperature points are significantly correlated to the input variables (ultrasonic power, pellet weight, and pellet pressure) and their interaction effects. The proposed mathematical model delivers a new guideline by avoiding unnecessary experiments and provides a systematic understanding of temperature profiles during the biomass Pelleting process. Knowledge transferred from the current study fulfills the literature gap between mathematical modeling research and an optimal, ultrasonic, vibration-assisted Pelleting process; and, therefore, provides insight into improving biomass quality in energy-related ultrasonic manufacturing.
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investigation on characteristics of corn stover and sorghum stalk processed by ultrasonic vibration assisted Pelleting
Renewable Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Z J Pei, Donghai WangAbstract:Abstract Cellulosic ethanol produced from cellulosic biomass is an alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. The cost-effectiveness of cellulosic ethanol manufacturing has been hindered by several technical barriers. One such barrier is that low density of biomass causes high costs of biomass transportation, handling, and storage. Another barrier is low sugar yield in enzymatic hydrolysis, making enzymatic hydrolysis an expensive and slow step. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting of cellulosic biomass can increase its density and reduce the costs of biomass transportation and handling. In addition, sugar yield of biomass pellets processed by UV-A Pelleting was higher than that of particles (unpelleted biomass) with diluted acid pretreatment. The reason that UV-A Pelleting could increase sugar yield of biomass is still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate reasons that UV-A Pelleting combined with diluted acid pretreatment could increase sugar yield of biomass. High sugar yield is preferred to achieve high ethanol yield. Effects of UV-A Pelleting on biomass characteristics (such as chemical composition, crystallinity index, thermal properties, and morphological structure) were investigated. The results showed there was no significant difference in chemical composition between pellets and particles. However, crystallinity of biomass increased after UV-A Pelleting. In addition, pellets had higher decomposition temperature than particles, indicating that pellets were more thermally stable than particles. Examinations on morphological structure of biomass showed that softened surface regions of biomass were removed and cellulose microfibrils were revealed after UV-A Pelleting.
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Ultrasonic vibration-assisted Pelleting of cellulosic biomass for ethanol manufacturing: An investigation on Pelleting temperature
Renewable Energy, 2016Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Zhijian Pei, Malgorzata J. Rys, Donghai Wang, Jiping ZhouAbstract:Abstract Ethanol made from cellulosic biomass is an alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. However, large-scale manufacturing of cellulosic ethanol is hindered by the low density of cellulosic biomass. Experiments have shown that ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting could compress low-density raw biomass into high-density pellets, and Pelleting temperature increased during Pelleting process. However, Pelleting temperature was not fully investigated. This paper reports an investigation on Pelleting temperature in UV-A Pelleting of wheat straw. The precision of temperature measurement was first evaluated. Relationships between Pelleting temperature and Pelleting time were then investigated. Also, the pattern of Pelleting temperature distribution was evaluated by ranking the Pelleting temperatures at six different locations in a pellet. Finally, effects of three input variables (ultrasonic power, Pelleting pressure, and pellet weight) on Pelleting temperature were discussed. Results reported in this paper are the foundation of a follow-up paper reporting relationship between Pelleting temperature and pellet quality (density, durability, and sugar yield).
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Comparison of two Pelleting methods for cellulosic ethanol manufacturing: ultrasonic vibration-assisted Pelleting vs. ring-die Pelleting
Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2015Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Jonathan Wilson, Lin Heng, Pengfei Zhang, Zhijian Pei, Donghai Wang, Jiping ZhouAbstract:Cellulosic ethanol made from cellulosic biomass is a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. One of the major challenges to cost effectiveness of cellulosic ethanol manufacturing is low density of raw cellulosic biomass that causes high costs of biomass transportation and storage. Pelleting can significantly increase biomass density,resulting in reducing the transportation and storage costs. Ring-die Pelleting, a traditional Pelleting method, generally involves high-temperature steam and high pressure, and often use binder materials. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting is a new Pelleting method without using high-temperature steam, high pressure, and binder materials. This paper reports an experimental study to compare pellet quality (density and durability), sugar yield, temperature, energy consumption, microstructure of corn stover processed by UV-A Pelleting and ring-die Pelleting with two level of sieve size (3.2 and 9.5 mm). Results showed that pellets produced by UV-A Pelleting had comparable density, durability, and sugar yield as those produced by ring-die Pelleting. UV-A Pelleting required higher energy consumption than ring-die Pelleting and produced higher temperature than ring-die Pelleting.
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Ultrasonic vibration-assisted Pelleting for cellulosic biofuels manufacturing: A study on in-pellet temperatures
Renewable Energy, 2015Co-Authors: Yongjun Tang, Pengfei Zhang, Weilong Cong, Defu LiuAbstract:Abstract Cellulosic biofuels have been proposed to replace part of traditional liquid transportation fuels. Cellulosic biomass is the feedstock in cellulosic biofuel manufacturing. Costs associated with collection and transportation of cellulosic biomass account for more than 80 percent of the feedstock cost [1] . By processing cellulosic biomass into pellets, energy density and handling efficiency of cellulosic feedstock can be improved, resulting in reduction of transportation and handling costs. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting is one of important Pelleting process which can make high quality pellets efficiently. The literature on UV-A Pelleting covers studies about effects of input process parameters on pellet density, durability, sugar yield, charring, and Pelleting force, but has little information about Pelleting temperature. This paper presents an experimental investigation on effects of input variables on Pelleting temperature. The Pelleting temperatures at the different locations of a pellet were measured during Pelleting using metal wire-typed thermocouples. Several Pelleting parameters were varied to study their effects on Pelleting temperature. Results obtained will be helpful in understanding why Pelleting parameters affect pellet quality (density and durability), charring, and sugar yield.
Z J Pei - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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investigation on characteristics of corn stover and sorghum stalk processed by ultrasonic vibration assisted Pelleting
Renewable Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Qi Zhang, Pengfei Zhang, Z J Pei, Donghai WangAbstract:Abstract Cellulosic ethanol produced from cellulosic biomass is an alternative to petroleum-based liquid transportation fuels. The cost-effectiveness of cellulosic ethanol manufacturing has been hindered by several technical barriers. One such barrier is that low density of biomass causes high costs of biomass transportation, handling, and storage. Another barrier is low sugar yield in enzymatic hydrolysis, making enzymatic hydrolysis an expensive and slow step. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting of cellulosic biomass can increase its density and reduce the costs of biomass transportation and handling. In addition, sugar yield of biomass pellets processed by UV-A Pelleting was higher than that of particles (unpelleted biomass) with diluted acid pretreatment. The reason that UV-A Pelleting could increase sugar yield of biomass is still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate reasons that UV-A Pelleting combined with diluted acid pretreatment could increase sugar yield of biomass. High sugar yield is preferred to achieve high ethanol yield. Effects of UV-A Pelleting on biomass characteristics (such as chemical composition, crystallinity index, thermal properties, and morphological structure) were investigated. The results showed there was no significant difference in chemical composition between pellets and particles. However, crystallinity of biomass increased after UV-A Pelleting. In addition, pellets had higher decomposition temperature than particles, indicating that pellets were more thermally stable than particles. Examinations on morphological structure of biomass showed that softened surface regions of biomass were removed and cellulose microfibrils were revealed after UV-A Pelleting.
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ultrasonic vibration assisted Pelleting of wheat straw a predictive model for energy consumption using response surface methodology
Ultrasonics, 2014Co-Authors: Xiaoxu Song, Meng Zhang, Z J Pei, Donghai WangAbstract:Cellulosic biomass can be used as a feedstock for biofuel manufacturing. Pelleting of cellulosic biomass can increase its bulk density and thus improve its storability and reduce the feedstock transportation costs. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting can produce biomass pellets whose density is comparable to that processed by traditional Pelleting methods (e.g. extruding, briquetting, and rolling). This study applied response surface methodology to the development of a predictive model for the energy consumption in UV-A Pelleting of wheat straw. Effects of Pelleting pressure, ultrasonic power, sieve size, and pellet weight were investigated. This study also optimized the process parameters to minimize the energy consumption in UV-A Pelleting using response surface methodology. Optimal conditions to minimize the energy consumption were the following: ultrasonic power at 20%, sieve size at 4 mm, and pellet weight at 1g, and the minimum energy consumption was 2.54 Wh.
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effects of the Pelleting conditions on chemical composition and sugar yield of corn stover big bluestem wheat straw and sorghum stalk pellets
Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, 2012Co-Authors: Karnnalin Theerarattananoon, Jonathan Wilson, Leland J Mckinney, Z J Pei, Scott A Staggenborg, Praveen V Vadlani, Donghai WangAbstract:Pelleting of biomass can increase their bulk density and thus improve storability and reduce transportation costs. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of the Pelleting conditions on chemical composition and fermentable sugar yield of the biomass. Corn stover, wheat straw, big bluestem, and sorghum stalks were used for this study. Dilute sulfuric acid was used for biomass pretreatment. Accellerase 1500™ was used for cellulose hydrolysis. Effects of mill screen size, die thickness, and L/D ratio of die on chemical compositions and sugar yield were determined. Glucan content of the biomass was positively affected by die thickness and negatively affected by mill screen size. Opposite trend was observed for xylan content. Wheat straw pellets had the highest sugar yield (92.5–94.1%) and big bluestem pellets had the lowest sugar yield (83.6–91.1%). Optimum Pelleting condition is 6.5 mm screen size and 44.5 mm die thickness.
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ultrasonic vibration assisted Pelleting of cellulosic biomass for biofuel manufacturing
Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering-transactions of The Asme, 2011Co-Authors: Pengfei Zhang, Donghai Wang, Weilong Cong, Meng Zhang, Z J Pei, Timothy W DeinesAbstract:Increasing demands and concerns for the reliable supply of liquid transportation fuels makes it important to find alternative sources to petroleum based fuels. One such alternative is cellulosic biofuels. However, several technical barriers have hindered large-scale, cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels, such as the low density of cellulosic feedstocks (causing high transportation and storage costs) and the lack of efficient pretreatment procedures for cellulosic biomass. This paper reports experimental investigations on ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting of cellulosic feedstocks. It studies effects of input variables (ultrasonic vibration, moisture content, and particle size) on output variables (pellet density, stability, durability, Pelleting force, and yield of biofuel conversion) in UV-A Pelleting. Results showed that UV-A Pelleting could increase the density of cellulosic feedstocks and the yield of biofuel conversion.
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ultrasonic vibration assisted Pelleting of biomass a designed experimental investigation on pellet quality and sugar yield
ASME 2010 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Volume 1, 2010Co-Authors: Pengfei Zhang, Z J Pei, Timothy W Deines, Daniel Nottingham, Donghai WangAbstract:Increasing demands and concerns for the reliable supply of liquid transportation fuels make it important to find alternative sources to petroleum based fuels. One such alternative is cellulosic biofuels. However, several technical barriers have hindered large-scale, cost-effective manufacturing of cellulosic biofuels, such as the low density of cellulosic feedstocks (causing high transportation and storage costs) and the low efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis process (causing longer processing time and low sugar yield). Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting can increase the density of cellulosic materials by compressing them into pellets. UV-A Pelleting can also increase the sugar yield of cellulosic biomass materials in hydrolysis. At present, the effects of process variables in UV-A Pelleting on pellet quality (density, durability, and stability) and sugar yield have not been adequately investigated. This paper reports an experimental investigation on UV-A Pelleting of wheat straw. A 24 factorial design is employed to evaluate the effects of process variables (moisture content, particle size, Pelleting pressure, and ultrasonic power) on output variables (pellet density, durability, stability, and sugar yield).© 2010 ASME
Xiaoxu Song - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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ultrasonic Pelleting of torrefied lignocellulosic biomass for bioenergy production
Renewable Energy, 2018Co-Authors: Xiaoxu Song, Meng Zhang, Yang Yang, Ke Zhang, Donghai WangAbstract:Abstract Torrefaction has been explored to increase the heating value and hydrophobicity of biomass. Pellets made from torrefied biomass can be used as a high-quality feedstock in gasification and as a substitute for coal in power plants. One existing challenge is that Pelleting torrefied biomass is more difficult under the same operating conditions as used for Pelleting untreated biomass. To address this challenge, this study employed ultrasonic vibration as an assistance to densify torrefied wheat straw biomass into pellets. Biomass with different severities of torrefaction was produced. Pellet properties and Pelleting energy consumption were investigated. It was found torrefied wheat straw biomass could be densified into pellets of good quality with the assistance of ultrasonic vibration; whereas, with the same Pelleting pressure but without ultrasonic vibration, good pellets could barely be made. It was also observed that the densities of torrefied biomass pellets were lower than the untreated biomass pellets. However, pellets made from biomass torrefied at a higher temperature had a higher durability. It was also found the energy density and heating value were enhanced as the severity of torrefaction increased. In addition, the energy consumption for Pelleting torrefied biomass was higher than untreated biomass under the same Pelleting condition.
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Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting of wheat straw: a constitutive model for pellet density.
Ultrasonics, 2015Co-Authors: Xiaoxu Song, Zhijian Pei, Meng Zhang, Donghai WangAbstract:Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting can increase cellulosic biomass density and reduce biomass handling and transportation costs in cellulosic biofuel manufacturing. Effects of input variables on pellet density in UV-A Pelleting have been studied experimentally. However, there are no reports on modeling of pellet density in UV-A Pelleting. Furthermore, in the literature, most reported density models in other Pelleting methods of biomass are empirical. This paper presents a constitutive model to predict pellet density in UV-A Pelleting. With the predictive model, relations between input variables (ultrasonic power and Pelleting pressure) and pellet density are predicted. The predicted relations are compared with those determined experimentally in the literature. Model predictions agree well with reported experimental results.
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ultrasonic vibration assisted Pelleting of wheat straw a predictive model for energy consumption using response surface methodology
Ultrasonics, 2014Co-Authors: Xiaoxu Song, Meng Zhang, Z J Pei, Donghai WangAbstract:Cellulosic biomass can be used as a feedstock for biofuel manufacturing. Pelleting of cellulosic biomass can increase its bulk density and thus improve its storability and reduce the feedstock transportation costs. Ultrasonic vibration-assisted (UV-A) Pelleting can produce biomass pellets whose density is comparable to that processed by traditional Pelleting methods (e.g. extruding, briquetting, and rolling). This study applied response surface methodology to the development of a predictive model for the energy consumption in UV-A Pelleting of wheat straw. Effects of Pelleting pressure, ultrasonic power, sieve size, and pellet weight were investigated. This study also optimized the process parameters to minimize the energy consumption in UV-A Pelleting using response surface methodology. Optimal conditions to minimize the energy consumption were the following: ultrasonic power at 20%, sieve size at 4 mm, and pellet weight at 1g, and the minimum energy consumption was 2.54 Wh.
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ultrasonic vibration assisted Pelleting of cellulosic biomass effects of moisture content
ASME 2010 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference Volume 1, 2010Co-Authors: Xiaoxu Song, Meng Zhang, Z J Pei, Timothy W DeinesAbstract:Cellulosic biomass is an important source for making biofuels. However, there are several barriers to cost-effective manufacturing of biofuels using cellulosic biomass. One such barrier is related to the high transportation cost due to the low density of cellulosic biomass. Pelleting of cellulosic biomass is one way to increase its density. This paper reports an experimental study on ultrasonic vibration-assisted Pelleting of cellulosic biomass. The study was focused on the effects of moisture content (MC) on pellet density of three kinds of cellulosic biomass (wheat straw, switchgrass, and sorghum). The experimental results show that sorghum has the highest density with three levels of MC among these biomass materials. The highest density was found with sorghum of 20% MC.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
