Fuel pellets from energy grass

– the full story

Mikael Thyrel

Straw fuels

The pellet production process

Straw biomass is heterogeneous

Large scale experiments (2002-

now)

Biomass technology center, Umeå

+20 different types and

varieties of agro materials

tested

Experiences from energy grass

pellet production

• Feed layer loss

• Uneven prod.

• Pre-compaction

• Torrefaction

Keep track of the

moisture content!! © Kungl. Skogs- och Lantbruksakademien, foto/photo: Erik Cronberg

Chemical composition of energy

grass

Combustion of energy grass

pellets

Slagging or

ash melting

Fouling

Combustion of energy grass fuel

pellets

Challenging!!

• Additives

• Fuel mixing

Pelletization

enables fuel design!

How does a single pellet burn?

X-ray tomography (ALS Berkeley)

Wheat straw at 91% char

combustion

Heterogeneity

From problem to resource!

1) Identification 2) Separation 3) Pelletization

Specific

process

Pelletization will be a key component for

the realization of industrial use of smart

biomass for future materials

Thank you!