Paper details

Title:

Prediction and Control of Biofuels Quality Using a Mathematical Modelling of Densification Process

Author(s):

Križan, P., Matúš, M., Svátek, M., Šooš, L., Beniak, J.

Document(s):

Abstract:

The densification of biomass is a mass and energy treatment process for raw materials that possess low bulk densities. During the biomass densification can be recognized various technological variables and also material parameters which significantly influences the final solid biofuels quality. The quality of biofuels is determined by the end-user’s requirements on the heating system and the handling properties. In general, the biofuels quality depends on the properties of the raw material (feedstock) – in terms of biomass type, moisture content and particle size; and quality management of the manufacturing process – in terms of operating conditions, technological variables, pelletizer type and binding agent (if any). The paper deals with experimental research of the effect and interaction of technological variables and material parameters during densification and evaluation methodology for relevant experimental plan in order to determine the final biofuels quality and mathematical model. Authors also would like to present the design of experiment (DOE) and evaluation methodology for this experimental plan in order to determine the effect of influencing variables during densification process. Presented research findings in this research are defining the effect and interaction of influencing variables at densification of selected Slovakian woods. From biofuels production point of view and also from densification machines constructions point of view is very important to know mutual interaction of these influencing parameters on final biofuels quality (properties). The main goal of this experiment was to obtain such results which can be used for mathematical models design. This statistical mathematical models based on the proposed experiments are used of the measured data processed and can be very useful tool for final biofuels prediction before densification and thus the densification process can be improved and adjusted according to properties of raw material to be pressed. Useful practical output of this experimental research are designed mathematical models which describes the densification process at various adjusted levels of influencing variables. These models can be implemented into the densification machines control system and thus the final quality of biofuels can be adjusted and controlled during densification.

Keywords:

biomass, modelling, quality, sawdust, solid biofuel, densification

Topic:

Biomass Conversion Technologies for Heating, Cooling and Electricity

Subtopic:

Production and supply of solid biofuels

Event:

26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

2CO.13.2

Pages:

559 - 566

ISBN:

978-88-89407-18-9

Paper DOI:

10.5071/26thEUBCE2018-2CO.13.2

Price:

FREE