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How Steam Explosion broke the biofuel code to release a powerful polymer
How Steam Explosion broke the biofuel code to release a powerful polymer
WHITE wood pellets had limitations that drew doubts over the viability of biomass as a utility-scale energy source.
Generating stations needed multi-million dollar mega-conversions to burn them. New loading, storage, conveyance and furnace infrastructure couldn’t though change their poor energy output.
Torrefied pellets, prepared in batches, had inconsistent heating values. Baked in kilns, they were too brittle and friable around furnace infrastructure. But the innovative application of steam explosion has produced biofuel pellets that meet the energy and processing needs of large utilities companies.
Energy-dense, durable and waterproof advanced black pellets made by steam explosion are spurring multinational energy providers to re-write biofuel into their energy mixes. They have all of the positive properties of coal without its catastrophic carbon footprint or local pollution.
Homogenous and highly transportable, in all weathers, advanced black pellets burn easily in place of coal – with comparable energy release and without expensive station upgrades and downtime.
Their impressive profile is achieved with two fundamental bio-structural changes made to biomass, during steam explosion.
Steam explosion excludes low-calorie hemicellulose to immediately enhance the energy-density of its end pellet product.
Then it redistributes lignin, a naturally-occurring polymer, from inside cell walls to the surface of each microscopic biofuel granule produced by the process.
This second bio-structural change – from energy-dense polymer keeping plant life rigid and waterproof to structural biofuel component – gives Power Wood’s advanced black pellets their waterproof coatings, exceptional bulk density and high mechanical strength.
At 190°C, steam explosion caused by rapid depressurization ruptures plant cell walls and draws molten lignin throughout the biofuel.
Pelletized under 180MPa pressure, the viscous, carbon-rich grain is bound tightly into homogenous biofuel pellets with energy-dense payloads.
Lignin is an organic polymer that occurs naturally in plants to keep them rigid and waterproof. High in carbon, Power Wood reallocates lignin to produce waterproof, resilient, energy-dense black biofuel pellets.
THE STEAM EXPLOSION PROCESS
THE STEAM EXPLOSION PROCESS
Steam explosion disintegrates lignocellulosic structure.
Sudden pressure withdrawal during autohydrolysis causes the flashing of water into steam to rupture biomass at cellular level.
At the right temperature, lignin melts just enough to bead on the surface of tiny, exploded organic granules – before lignin droplets merge and migrate as a natural waterproof binder.
This redistribution of lignin is why steam-treated advanced black pellets boast unprecedented bulk density, mechanical strength and impact resistance.
Lignin, repolymerizing on the surfaces of Power Wood’s pellets, briquettes and bales, gives them a thick natural hydrophobic coating.
And its higher carbon and hydrogen and lower oxygen content than wood raises the energy value of each biofuel unit.
Power Wood’s lignin-rich advanced black pellets offer 23MJ/k of energy. And they can be stockpiled outdoors in all weathers, including in existing coal yards.
Their steam treatment ensures they ace every category promulgated by all of the pellet industry’s institutional standards boards.
Source Credit: Valmet - Steam explosion ruptures the lignocellulosic structure of biomass so molten lignin coats the grain produced for pelletizing. The outcome is an energy-dense, durable, waterproof ‘green’ biofuel pellet for power stations.
THE BENEFITS OF USING LIGNIN-RICH PELLETS
THE BENEFITS OF USING LIGNIN-RICH PELLETS
Lignin, abundant in the trunks of fast-growing hardwood tree species like Canada’s Trembling Aspens and Balsam Poplars, constitutes approximately 30 percent of the dry mass of wood.
Power Wood Canada Corp’s uses dead hardwood lumber left by Canada’s wildfires to manufacture its multi-faceted black biofuel pellets.
High lignin levels in its feedstock support pellets with much greater bulk density, more durability and a higher heating value than all other pellets used for utility-scale energy production.
For these reasons, steam explosion black pellets with re-allocated lignin are the only true low-emission ‘drop in’ replacement for coal:
Greater Bulk Density
Greater Bulk Density
Higher lignin content results in pellets with greater density and bigger energy payloads. Denser fuels possess more energy and are more cost-effective to process. Greater bulk density raises heating value, alleviates transportation costs, and makes handling and storage easier.
Higher lignin content results in pellets with greater density and bigger energy payloads. Denser fuels possess more energy and are more cost-effective to process. Greater bulk density raises heating value, alleviates transportation costs, and makes handling and storage easier.
Better Durability
Better Durability
Steam explosion advanced black pellets score much more highly on the Pellet Durability Index than both previous generations of biofuel wood pellets.
The softening and redistribution of lignin during explosion, binds granular biomass firmly during densification and creates a compact structure capable of resisting knocks and abrasions.
Greater Hydrophobicity
Greater Hydrophobicity
Steam explosion advanced black pellets can be stored and handled under the same conditions, and in the same storage yards, as coal – without any detrimental impact on their functionality.
Lignin, remaining in its natural state, forms a waterproof barrier around each pellet, eliminating the expense of humidity-controlled dry silo storage containers.
Steam explosion advanced black pellets have qualities more akin to coal than previous generations of biofuel pellet. But they don’t leave coal’s deadly carbon footprint and local pollution.
Higher Quality Fuel
Higher Quality Fuel
Steam explosion increases the overall calorific value of biomass by partially hydrolyzing hemicellulose, retaining energy-rich cellulose and redistributing high-carbon lignin.
Extreme pressure and the presence of the glue-like polymer lignin allow a denser biofuel pellet with enhanced calorific value to be produced. Power Wood’s biofuel burns with 23MJ/k.
Superior Grindability
Superior Grindability
Power Wood Canada Corp’s advanced black pellets grind into a homogenous granular biofuel powder, which has uniform energy release. They are processed with existing plant facilities.
Their consistent grain allows for close control of furnace temperatures and station efficiency, while they also extend the lifespan and value of national coal-fired energy infrastructure.
Lower Ash and Particulate Content
Lower Ash and Particulate Content
Lignin redistribution and hemicellulose degradation modifies biomass structure. Resulting dense and robust hydrophobic pellets have fewer impurities and don’t break down into fine particles or dust.
The transportation, storage and combustion of steam-exploded biofuel reduces the production of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, particulate matter and ash compared to coal.
True Homogeneity
True Homogeneity
Power Wood’s biofuel products – whether pellet, briquette or bale – are entirely homogenous in physical form and heating value, allowing for more consistent energy production.
The company’s uniform product size and quality allows for efficient transportation, handling, temperature control and power generation.
To learn more about Power Wood Canada Corp’s advanced black pellets, and its use of steam explosion technology, please use the contact details available on this website.
To learn more about Power Wood Canada Corp’s advanced black pellets, and its use of steam explosion technology, please use the contact details available on this website.
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