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Mobile Biomass Pelletizing System--BonFire BioMass Conversions, LLC, 21025 Ridge Road, Freeland,
MD 21053; 443-928-3087
Mr. Thomas Mason, Principal
Investigator, tmason@bonfirebiomass.com
Mr. Thomas Mason, Business
Official, tmason@bonfirebiomass.com
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-07ER84864
Amount: $99,650
America
needs alternative energy sources to supplement or supplant traditional
nonrenewable sources. Biomass,
particularly wood waste, has become a desirable candidate; however, its high
moisture content (as high as 50% by weight) and its difficulty in handling
complicate the transport of wood waste.
This project will develop technology for using biomass in the form of
fuel pellets, processed
at the site, to eliminate logistical problems related to
production, as well the supply and demand problems related to unstable trade
relationships. From an environmental
perspective, the process should compare favorably to fossil fuels. System controls will be highly automated and
developed for real-time interactive process control, thereby reducing the
problems associated with traditional processing plants. The design will: (1) encompass portability, scalability, and
adaptability to accommodate specific feedstock requirements for processing; (2)
account for energy conservation within the process of creating fuel pellets;
(3) adapt to the inconsistency of diverse types of biomass; and (4) provide an
embedded processing methodology to accommodate batch-level moisture variations,
thereby creating a consistent, reliable pelletized
fuel.
Commercial
Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The
successful development of this technology should allow: (1) for an increased radius from which a
power generation facility can draw fuel economically, by making the biomass
more energy dense and more transportable; (2) forest thinning operations and
regular grounds maintenance to be a significant source of fuel; and (3) the
utilization of trees killed by pest infestation or downed by natural disasters,
which are currently burned and disposed of at considerable cost. Furthermore, the proposed mobile platform
should allow the process to be performed in a shop environment, which typically
is 2-5 times less costly
than work done in the field. The
system’s portability would require no costs for buildings, a location site, or
permits for construction and occupancy.
Capital cost savings of as much as 30% are expected.