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Key Properties of Biomass Relavent to Gasification:
Moisture Content
- Fuel inside the reactor should generally be below 20% moisture (dry basis).
Fixed Carbon to Volatile Ratio
- Volatiles produce tars during pyrolysis, fixed carbon produces char. In a gasifier, the tars can either be combusted with oxygen or thermally cracked. Char is needed for reduction. Gasifiers will generally operate better with more fixed carbon in the fuel.
Void Space
- The amount of void space in a fuel will impact proper combustion. More void space is generally better.
Bulk Density
- Indicates the volume required to store a given mass of fuel.
Ash Content
- Ash (mineral content) can lead to slagging. Specific minerals can reduce slagging temperatures (and therefore the likelihood that slagging will occur at a given temperature). Grasses are often high in silica.
Hazardous Compounds
- Materials including municipal solid waste (MSW), biosolids (sludge), coal, and plastics can contain high levels of compounds including chlorine, sulfur and heavy metals. These materials require special consideration, testing, and handling and should not be used without professional consultation.
Fuel Preparation Techniques and Machines
Chippers, chunkers, loppers, splitters, shredders, disintegrators, etc
Characterizing Biomass
Biomass Proximate and Ultimate Analysis Composition for Common Biomass Types
Energy Density of Biomass and Other Fuels
Run Issues and Experience with Specific Fuels
Wood pellets as downdraft gasifier fuel
BioPlugs: Large pellets with plastic binder
Growing and Using Biomass: Argiculture, Silviculture, and Integrated Agro-energy Systems
Biomass Yields
Grasslands and Praries:
Energy yields from biodiverse plantings are higher than from monocropped biomass energy. Other benefits, such as wildlife value may also be higher.
Graph showing Net Energy Balance of Different Biomass Energy Production Systems
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