Blended biofuel pellets for household and industrial boilers using Miscanthus biomass and wood residues

Purpose and goal:

Sweden aims to be a net zero GHG emissions economy by 2045. To achieve this, one strategy could be increasing the biomass contribution in energy sector. Miscanthus is one of the common energy crops due to its great energy value, and also has the potential to be used in pelleted form in residential and commercial boilers.

In this project, we seek to determine the conditions in which blended biofuel pellets made from Miscanthus and wood residues can meet energy production requirements and other desired characteristics of a biofuel source. Expected results and effects:

Based on the results, it can be concluded that the pellets with different ratios of Miscanthus and pine sawdust, did not show any significant differences in physical, chemical, combustion features and can therefore compete favourably as biofuel sources. Although, pure Miscanthus pellet may have exhibited higher ash content in comparison to pure pine sawdust pellet, its greater ash content was compensated for by blending with pine sawdust in various ratios, and the amount of ash contained in the blends was determined by the ratio of pine sawdust added.

Approach and implementation:

a) Engineer pelletizing process for Miscanthus biomass through modifying technical parameters as well as wood residues and binding agent towards identification of optimum processes for energy uses.

b) Optimize the blended pellet process, mixing different ratio of Miscanthus and wood residues, by evaluating mechanical and physical properties of the pellets, to meet standards for biofuel requirements.

c) Develop life cycle assessment models to quantify the climate benefits that the adoption of the blended pellets could deliver.