ASABE announces international standards project for biomass fuels

Biomass Magazine


By American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers | March 07, 2014


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ASABE announces international standards project for biomass fuels

Biomass Magazine


By American Society for Agricultural and Biological Engineers | March 07, 2014


Read more

Chip Energy building biomass conversion facility

The Pantagraph - Bloomington, IL

by David Proeber

 

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Biomass Briquettes: Turning Waste Into Energy

Biomass Power & Thermal
By Owen McDougal, Seth Eidemiller, Nick Weires,
November 23, 2010

A Boise State University study proves that low-energy feedstocks can be densified and when combusted produce heat output comparable to higher energy content fuels.

Fuel briquettes generated by the low-pressure compaction of paper, sawdust, agricultural or yard waste, etc. currently serve as an alternative to firewood, wood pellets and charcoal in developing countries in Africa, Asia and South America. Research at Boise State University in Idaho, explored both the caloric content and shape to optimize burn efficiency of the biobriquettes. The energy content of briquettes ranged from 4.48 to 5.95 kilojoule per gram (kJ/g) depending on composition, whereas the energy content of sawdust, charcoal and wood pellets ranged from 7.24 to 8.25 kJ/g. Biobriquettes molded into a hollow-core cylindrical form exhibited energy output comparable to that of traditional fuels. The study demonstrates that low-energy content feedstocks can be composted, pressed and combusted to produce heat output commensurate with higher energy content fuels.

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Vega's China Venture to Use Special Torrefaction Technology in Ten Manufacturing Plants

CNNMoney.com
December 17, 2009: 08:00 AM ET

VEGA PROMOTIONAL SYSTEMS, INC. (PINKSHEETS: VGPR) recently announced the Company has entered into a Joint Venture Agreement to build multiple manufacturing plants throughout China to produce alternative energy using torrefaction technology.

The Company's Joint Venture with Global Capital Market, LTD (GCM), located in Shenzhen City, China is moving forward with its plan to build up to 10 manufacturing plants throughout China. The manufacturing plants will use special torrefaction technology to produce briquettes from organic waste products that will then be sold through Agreements with European power generating companies.

Torrefaction is a partial carbonization process that takes place at temperatures between 475 - 575 degrees in a low temperature environment which makes the physical and energetic properties of the biomass much more comparable to traditional coal. The biomass is then compressed into briquettes to be sold to the end user. Torrefaction has the added benefit of reducing or eliminating undesirable volatiles, such as nitrous oxides and sulfur dioxides and is considered carbon neutral to the environment.

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Iowa Office of Energy Independence Plans for Green Future

Environment News Service

DES MOINES, Iowa, December 23, 2008 (ENS) - The Iowa State Office of Energy Independence today released its 2008 Plan for Energy Independence, with recommendations on best practices for efficiency and energy production statewide.

A newly formed state agency, the Office of Energy Independence issued its first annual energy plan in the fall of 2007. Since then, the OEI has received more than 160 pre-applications, proposing nearly $1 billion in private-sector investment in renewable energy and job creation.

"Iowa’s natural resources, innovation, and work ethic provide a solid foundation for us to lead in this new energy economy," said Governor Chet Culver. "Most important, research and development into energy efficiency, renewable energy, and next-generation biofuels is leading to job growth in every corner of Iowa."

Under the plan, Iowa's Office of Energy Independence will enact an energy efficiency portfolio standard, expand energy education, promote smart growth and support workforce development in energy.

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BHS Energy develops biomass briquette press

Your Renewable News
Monday, Dec 15, 2008

Pennsylvania-based BHS Energy LLC has developed a small-scale biomass briquette press designed to compress switchgrass, but is applicable for use with other biomass materials, such as waste wood.

According to Bryan Reggie, an electrical engineer and a managing member of BHS Energy, the product was designed to benefit individual farms and other small-scale entities interested in producing their own heating fuel without the expense of investing in an industrial-scale product.

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