Han-Sup Han Humboldt State University Arcata, California

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1 Biomass Research & Development Initiative (BRDI - Department of Energy) Waste to Wisdom (W2W): Utilizing forest residues for the production of bioenergy and biobased products Han-Sup Han Humboldt State University Arcata, California

2 Forest Residues

3 Small-diameter whole trees 3

4 Forest Residues Include limbs, branches, chunks, and submerchantable small trees Materials difficult to handle: Mix of various species/size/shape Low bulk density Pre-processing in the woods needed for efficient handling and utilization

5 Typical In-woods Biomass Operations Grinding Transportation Energy plant Chipping High cost Low market price paid

6 In-woods Biomass Conversion: Decrease transportation and handling costs Increase product values Improve feedstock properties for energy production Biochars Briquettes Torrefied chips 6

7 Integration of Mobile Biomass Conversion Techs Torrefaction In-woods Biomass Operations Gasification Briquetter

8 1 Why solid energy products? Conversion technologies producing solid energy products can easily work with low quality forest residues Cost-effectively convert forest residues into high quality intermediate feedstocks Readily compatible with existing direct combustion systems Allows small-scale, dispersed production systems Biochars Briquettes Facilitates handling and storage without large additional costs Torrefied chips 8

9 Biochar as a soil amendment Benefits: - Increase water holding capacity - Less acid soils - Improve habitats for microorganisms living in the soil - Long-term (>100 years) carbon sequestration - Reduces the need for slash pile burning - Fewer particulates and greenhouse gas emissions - No damage to the soil from severe fire Best Applications: - Remote areas - Damaged or contaminated areas, such as: - Inactive mining sites - Decommissioned roads - Skid trails and log landings

10 W2W - Project Goal & Technical Areas Overall Project Goal: Production of bioenergy and bio-based products through effective utilization of forest residues by development of new biomass conversion technologies and optimized biomass operations logistics. Three Technical Areas (TAs): TA 1: Feedstock Development Forest residue sorting, arranging, baling, chipping/grinding, and screening to produce quality feedstock TA 2: Biomass Conversion Technology Development Gasification, torrefaction, and briquetter TA 3: Bioenergy and Biobased Products Development Analysis Determining economic and environmental success of utilizing forest residues for production of bioenergy, and biobased products

11 W2W - Research Team

12 What have we done

13 Sorting tree tops during timber harvesting Processed Tops Sawlogs Slash Pile Unprocessed Tops

14 Production of quality feedstocks from forest residues Size distribution: Chipped materials: >95% chips less than 2 inches Ground materials: >55% hogged materials larger than 2 inches Material type Geometric mean length (in) Bulk density (kg/m^3) Moisture content (% wet basis) Ash content (% dry basis) Processed conifer Processed hardwood Slash Unprocessed conifer Unprocessed hardwood Chipped Materials Ground Materials

15 Moisture content reduction study Objective: develop in-woods methods to lower moisture content 7 months of moisture samples collected and analyzed One full year of data (ending in July) will be collected Slash piled Teepee Criss-cross Scattered Covered vs. Uncovered

16 Screening to produce uniform feedstocks Objective: To evaluate fuel consumption, productivity, and the effectiveness of separating ground or chipped woody biomass using star and deck screeners. Deck screener Star screener 16

17 Biomass Conversion Techs Development Biochar Machine Testing and data analysis completed Machine improvements currently under development Torrefier Preliminary tests completed Machine being instrumented for field testing Briquetter Preparation completed for April 2015 testing Mobile briquetter being sent to northern California for field testing Remote Power Generation Biomass gasifier generator system selected as preferred remote power generation technology 17

18 Testing plan: In-woods Biomass Conversion Technologies (Demo: June 25-26, 2015 in Humboldt, California) BCT March April May June July August Sept Oct Biomass Gasifier Humboldt (Lab) Humboldt (Field demo) Humboldt (Field) Humboldt (Lab) Briquetter Oregon (Industry) Humboldt (Field demo) Torrefier Humboldt (Field demo) Humboldt (Field) Biochar Machine Mendocino (Field) Weather Permitting Mendocino (Field) Mendocino (Field) Mendocino (Field) Contact Tom Waddle or Craig Rawlings if you are interested in viewing the field demos

19 Biochar: ecological benefits and carbon sequestration Collecting data from multiple field sites to evaluate the use of biochar as a way of increasing carbon sequestration Testing the use of biochar to facilitate recovery of damaged mining site and decommissioned forest roads Biochar samples analyzed at Forest Products Lab to characterize chemical properties

20 Thank you!

DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) 2015 Project Peer Review

DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) 2015 Project Peer Review Waste to Wisdom: Utilizing forest residues for the production of bioenergy and biobased products March 23 rd, 2015 Technology Area Review