Innovative Concepts and Technologies Shaping the Pellet

IndustryPFI Annual Conference

Asheville, NCJuly 30th, 2013

Guillermo Velardegjvelard@ncsu.edu

Biomass-Energy and Pellet Characterization Service Center

The work conducted in the biomass-bioenergy and pellet characterizationcenter include:

The evaluation of woody biomass materials. Complete assessment of solid fuels such as pellets and briquettes. Particle preparation, material compaction and product testing such as

proximate and ultimate analyses and trace element quantification. Tools include: debarker, splitter, grinder, hammermill, pellet mill,

briquetter, furnace and moisture meters.

About Us

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Ensure that the movements to and from each segment ofthe Biomass supply chain are carried out as efficientlyand economically as possible by means of pretreatmentprocesses.

Biomass Pretreatment and Logistics

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Image sourcehttp://surftherenow.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/overloaded-truck.jpg

Bioenergy is a developing industry without maturedmarkets.

Transportation is a significant portion of the total cost of biomass and it limits the sourcing area.

A commodity good is produced/sold by manycompanies and it is uniform in characteristics. Wood, oil andelectricity are considered commodities. Price is determinedas a function of the market as a whole.

Relevance

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New Approach?

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Source: http://www.newventurelab.com/resources/blog.php?id=28

Help someone move?

Wood Industry

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Image source: blog.timesunion.com, www.soldbyarthur.com, www.flickr.com, arrenwilliams.com

Biomass

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Source: Taraneh Sowlati, UBC, Introduction to Forest Products Supply Chain Management

Recognize the value of each material and focus ontransporting the right product.

Increase bulk density to reduce transportation costs perunit of weight.

Increase energy content to increase output per unit ofweight.

Expand the supply region at competitive levels.Gain a competitive advantage.

Focus on

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Not a single approach

The Big Picture

9Image source: International Energy Agency, 2007, IEA Energy Technology Essentials

Feasibility

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• There is an opportunity to improve the supply chain ofthe industry and continuous improvement is the rightapproach

• The path to follow will vary depending on each uniquesituation

• The analysis is centered on value• It is not always about money but in most cases it is• Other variables should be included in the analysis such

as energy• Let’s not forget about incentives

Conclusions

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This work has been performedwith the support of the SunGrantInitiative.

In collaboration between NorthCarolina State University andthe University of TennesseeKnoxville.

Acknowledgments

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Questions

13Image source: trcl.thejspot.ws