Biomass Blending Densification System

Biofuels plant production is constrained by the high cost of moving agricultural residues from the farm to a central processing plant. Conventional equipment for biomass densification is too costly for use in upgrading feedstocks for biofuels plants. This project will develop an innovative biomass blending and densification system process that will not only densify the biomass but also upgrade its energy value. In Phase I, the biomass densification system will be designed, and performance estimates will be determined. These performance estimates then will be validated by building and testing a laboratory-scale densifier. Lastly, costs will be estimated to determine the economic feasibility of the concept for biofuels production systems. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should be applicable to the densification of biomass residues at widely dispersed production sites. The application would result in cost savings of over $250 million/year and also would offset fossil fuel use.