Process Intensification Through Improved Dryer Engineering Data and Design

Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to liquid transportation fuels and bioproducts is a core element of our nations strategy to replace imported oil with renewable domestic resources. Thermo chemical conversion processes typically require feedstocks 5 to 7.5 times drier than the raw materials and thus require a drying process step. While dryer design data for grains and many industrial materials are known, prior experiments at Forest Concepts, the proposing firm, demonstrate that biomass feedstocks, particularly woody biomass, are sufficiently unique from agricultural commodities that appropriate design data does not exist or is not applicable to the design of lowtemperature dryers. The technologies to be developed under this proposal will achieve process intensification by combining Forest Concepts energy efficient comminution of high moisture fibrous biomass to produce small, uniform particles with optimal design of lowtemperature dryers. In addition to the already demonstrated 50% reduction in comminution energy for the Forest Concepts Crumbles technology, process intensification will be achieved when, a) the drying energy relative to current technology dryers may be reduced by 25% through better design, and b) the capital and footprint of a dryer might be reduced by 30%. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits The technologies resulting from this project can be implemented today at solid biofuel pellet facilities to reduce capital and operating costs; and at second generation liquid transportation fuel producers as commercial scale facilities are built. The results should yield an approximately 60% savings in net comminution and drying energy, thus achieving the DOE process intensification objective