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Grass pellet Quality Index: A tool to evaluate suitability of grass pellets for small scale combustion systems

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  • Cherney, Jerome H.
  • Verma, Vijay Kumar

Abstract

US renewable fuels policy strongly encourages biomass crop production, which should lead to expansion of biomass heating scenarios. Chemical composition of grass biomass can be extremely variable, depending on species, soil fertility, and harvest management. Biomass quality concerns have hindered the development of grass biomass for residential combustion, with no comprehensive evaluation system for grass pellet quality. Quality labeling will strengthen the fledgling grass biomass heating market, gain consumer confidence, and help to control combustion related emissions. The proposed system sums qualitatively different parameters into one Quality Index for relative evaluation and ranking of grass pellets for residential combustion potential. Parameters were selected and weighted for their relative importance based on available literature. Weighting was accomplished by adjusting the compositional working range for each parameter. A limit also was established for each parameter, beyond which the pellet lot was considered as unacceptable for residential combustion, regardless of the total Quality Index score. The model structure allows for effective evaluation and ranking of grass pellet lots regardless of the specific values ultimately chosen for acceptable limits and working ranges by the industry. Applying the Quality Index to a range of grass pellet types resulted in a reasonable ranking of pellets based on physical characteristics and composition.

Suggested Citation

  • Cherney, Jerome H. & Verma, Vijay Kumar, 2013. "Grass pellet Quality Index: A tool to evaluate suitability of grass pellets for small scale combustion systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 679-684.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:103:y:2013:i:c:p:679-684
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.10.050
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    1. Fiedler, Frank, 2004. "The state of the art of small-scale pellet-based heating systems and relevant regulations in Sweden, Austria and Germany," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 8(3), pages 201-221, June.
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    1. Ren, Qiangqiang & Zhao, Changsui, 2013. "NOx and N2O precursors (NH3 and HCN) from biomass pyrolysis: interaction between amino acid and mineral matter," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 170-174.
    2. Sébastien Fournel & Joahnn H. Palacios & Stéphane Godbout & Michèle Heitz, 2015. "Effect of Additives and Fuel Blending on Emissions and Ash-Related Problems from Small-Scale Combustion of Reed Canary Grass," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Krzysztof Kud, 2018. "Biomasa lak legowych jako integrator polityki energetycznej, przestrzennej oraz wodnej (Biomass of riparian meadows as an integrator of energy policy, spatial and water)," Research Reports, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 2(28), pages 80-89.
    4. Nodirjon Nurmatov & Daniel Armando Leon Gomez & Frank Hensgen & Lutz Bühle & Michael Wachendorf, 2016. "High-Quality Solid Fuel Production from Leaf Litter of Urban Street Trees," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-13, November.
    5. Nunes, L.J.R. & Matias, J.C.O. & Catalão, J.P.S., 2014. "Mixed biomass pellets for thermal energy production: A review of combustion models," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 135-140.
    6. Raúl Tauro & Borja Velázquez-Martí & Silvina Manrique & Martin Ricker & René Martínez-Bravo & Víctor M. Ruiz-García & Saraí Ramos-Vargas & Omar Masera & José A. Soria-González & Cynthia Armendáriz-Arn, 2022. "Potential Use of Pruning Residues from Avocado Trees as Energy Input in Rural Communities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, February.
    7. Nunes, L.J.R. & Matias, J.C.O. & Catalão, J.P.S., 2016. "Biomass combustion systems: A review on the physical and chemical properties of the ashes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 235-242.
    8. Ľ. Kubík & V. Kažimírová, 2015. "Mechanical properties of pellets in compression," Research in Agricultural Engineering, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 61(SpecialIs), pages 1-8.
    9. Fournel, S. & Palacios, J.H. & Morissette, R. & Villeneuve, J. & Godbout, S. & Heitz, M. & Savoie, P., 2015. "Influence of biomass properties on technical and environmental performance of a multi-fuel boiler during on-farm combustion of energy crops," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 247-259.
    10. Šiaudinis, Gintaras & Jasinskas, Algirdas & Šarauskis, Egidijus & Steponavičius, Dainius & Karčauskienė, Danutė & Liaudanskienė, Inga, 2015. "The assessment of Virginia mallow (Sida hermaphrodita Rusby) and cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) productivity, physico–mechanical properties and energy expenses," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P1), pages 606-612.
    11. Jozami, Emiliano & Mele, Fernando D & Piastrellini, Roxana & Civit, Bárbara M & Feldman, Susana R, 2022. "Life cycle assessment of bioenergy from lignocellulosic herbaceous biomass: The case study of Spartina argentinensis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PA).

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