Many years ago I was working in a corn processing facility and the company was very comfortable with the material handling of corn and several other products. For the most part, you put in a well sloped cylindrical cone bottom in storage bins and mechanically conveyed with belts and conveyors. Materials dropped and flowed well. Then, we created a more difficult product. A project leader decided to forgo any key indices testing or using consultants for flowability and just put in a large 60 degree cone bin. The result was a delayed startup and an inconsistent product size due to material flow issues. I decided at that point that I would take material handling seriously having also worked in a power plant during rain and freeze.
Cellulosic biomass rarely flows like corn, coal, or powders. At Genera Energy, we have taken the time and laboratory testing to understand our feedstocks and design. There are many key things to know.
- What are the flow indices; arching, rat holing, slopes, converging cones, minimum outlet diameter and etc.?
- Dust capture and collection is significant and must be planned well
- When you can use cylindrical cones and when you cannot
- Even small hoppers and valves matter
- Transitions from conveyors matter
- Outlets of conveyors matter
- End plates on conveying bins matter
- Screw and housing tolerances matter
- Particles and sizes segregate differently
- Moisture is significant
- The type of biomass makes a huge difference
- To pneumatic convey or not
- Abrasion is real in some biomass
- Agglomeration needs understood
- Fluidization and classification may have a role
- Explosivity must be understood
Material handling is the least understood yet most ignored design aspect of many biofineries. We have consulted for several companies (after the fact) who assumed they could do it all and were forced into slower startups, fires, and time distractions. Partnering with someone who understands material handling will allow a refiner to concentrate on the issues that they need to solve rather than solving issues that were known and avoidable. Be wary of those who claim that they are a one stop shop for everything. Concentrate on what you do best and partner with the best for the rest. Contact Genera Energy today to see how we can help you solve your material handling problems and with other biomass supply chain solutions.
By Keith Brazzell, Chief Operating Officer
