Publication Date

2023

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Pohlman, Nicholas

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Biomass is a perpetually burgeoning commodity as a sustainable energy resource, but some of the consistent drawbacks are transportation and sampling. The efficiency of pick-up and delivery to conversion facilities needs to be sufficient to allow for longer transport distances. Concurrent work explores the viability of using 20 ft intermodal shipping containers by using a screw auger to pack biomass feedstocks (miscanthus and corn stover) in ¼-scaled containers, which resulted in dry matter packing densities exceeding 8 lb/ft3. Full analysis of compaction energy plus transportation needs was found to understand net positive energy return on investment. To enhance the sampling capability, two modified shipping containers were designed: one modeled after the ¼ scaled version of the experiments as well as a ¼ scaled model of a standard 20 ft container. Both divided the system into thirds to characterize local density and chemical reactions of pre-treatment processes. Finite element analysis was performed to determine structural integrity of the modified shipping containers. Small-scale 3D printed models were also produced for demonstration purposes. The integration of the energy return-on investment and modified shipping containers demonstrated further viability of using 20 ft intermodal shipping containers for the next generation bioeconomy.

Extent

65 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

Download

Share

COinS