Size Reduction and Densification of Lignocellulosic Biomass Feedstock for Biopower, Bioproducts, and Liquid Biofuel Production

Size reduction and densification of lignocellulosic biomass feedstock play a crucial role in the preprocessing and supply of biomass. Size reduction is an operation where the size distribution of biomass particles is adapted to a level determined by its final use. The purpose of densification is to increase the bulk and inherent energy density of the biomass feedstock, allowing optimization of transportation, storage, and potentially bioconversion. The equipment for biomass size reduction and densification must be robust with respect to the purpose of use, biomass property variability, and be highly efficient in terms of energy use and operating costs. Although the existing agricultural and forage equipment could be employed for size reduction and densification, specific equipment needs to be developed that can efficiently perform size reduction and densification of huge volumes of biomass for commercial bioenergy and bioproduct sectors. An empirical exponential or power equation could be used to describe the relationship between specific energy consumption and particle sizes for size reduction and between specific energy consumption and bulk density for compression of biomass.