Near Infrared Biomass Probe and Deployment Methods for Real-time, Field-Based, Biomass Quality Measurement

Statement of problem: Efficient and economic biomass quality assessment is a critical area of need for cellulosic biorefinery operations. If an economic, field-deployable quality measurement system and method becomes commercially available, improvements in delivered feedstock quality will be more achievable by allowing for quality improvements to be made in the field throughout the harvest season. How problem will be addressed: Team members have developed and demonstrated a novel methodfor use of a near infrared (NIR) probe to sample biomass in the field (in bales, piles, etc.) for measuring moisture, ash, glucan, and xylan content in harvested biomass. While our team has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the probe at a proof-of-concept level, there is significant work required to enable reliable probe deployment in a commercially viable manner. What will be accomplished with Phase I funding: We will work with truck-mounted hydraulic bale coring equipment developed and used by Iowa State, converting the system from a material coring and extraction operation to a NIR probe insertion operation. We will improve methods for NIR measurement to be consistent with commercial applications and expand the range of biomass types that it can be used with. The biomass probe design will be improved from its current proof-of-concept design, to a rugged design that will be capable of withstanding thousands of cycles between major parts replacement (quartz window, probe shaft, fiber optic cables, etc.). We will also work with team members for develop detailed plans for commercializing the NIR probe and deployment methods. Commercial applications and other benefits: For abiorefinery operation procuring about300,000 dry tons of biomass, if an in-field real-time quality measurement system can be coupled with other harvest and supply chain management actions to facilitate a reduction in average ash content from 12 percent to 5 percent on average, our team estimates an annual cost savings of about $3.5 million, or about $11.50 per dry ton. If average ash is improved from 8 percent to 5 percent, we have estimated the annual cost savings at more than $1.5 million per year or about $5 per dry ton.