Biomass Size Reduction Machines

To Enhance Biogas Production

ykm

Outline
Biogas Production and ways to
enhance the same
Biomass Structure and Necessity of
Pretreatment
Methods of Pretreatment
Physical Pretreatment
Size Reduction Machines
Comparison and Conclusion

Biogas Production
Biogas is mainly used for generation
of heat or electricity, car fuel.
Main constituent is methane high
calorific value (~13000 kcal/kg) and
cleaner fuel.
Biogas is produced by anaerobic
digestion or by fermentation of
biodegradable materials.
Enhancement in production is
necessary in order to meet the rising

Ways to enhance production

1. Maintaining optimum operational
conditions
pH
Temperature
Agitation

2. Proper Pretreatment
Physical (Size Reduction)
Chemical
Biological

Structure of lignocellulosic feed

Fig.1 Lignocellulose feed

Structure of lignocellulosic
feed

Fig.2 Lignocellulose
structure

Rate of biodegradation
Factors that affect the biodegradation
rate:
Crystallinity of cellulose
Accessible surface area
Lignin Protection
Hemicellulose Protection

These difficulties are taken care of

using physical pretreatment and
cellulose is made available for
enzymatic attack.

Size reduction machine

selection
Aim of pretreatment is to remove the
lignin and hemicellulosic protection of
cellulose and make it susceptible to
enzymatic attack
Selection of pretreatment technique
depends on
cost of operation,
energy demand and emissions,
type of biomass to be processed,
the desired final size of biomass

Size Reduction Machines

Shredders/Grinders
Typically used for size reduction of
compact and difficult to handle- feed
stock
Most of them are rotary in action but
we find knife-grid based linear action
shredder in literature.
Fig.3 Rotary
Shredder

Shredders/Grinders
Fig.4 Knife-Grid based
Shredder

Shredders/Grinders
Type

Feed

Initial
Size

Final Size

Energy
Requirem
ent

Knife
(Rotary)

Paper

NA

4cm

15.2 kWh/t

Knife-Grid

Corn
Stalks,

203mm

50mm

1.69 kWh/t

Switchgras
s

203mm

50mm

0.49 kWh/t

Ball Milling
An effective technique, results in
reduced crystallinity, reduced
cellulose polymerization
High shear and compressive forces
increase the bulk density leading to
lesser volume requirement
Can be performed at elevated
temperatures, hydrolysis effectivity
increases.
Time Consuming Operation

Ball milling

Fig.5 Ball
Mill

Vibration Mill
Working is similar to that of ball mill
but shell is vibrating instead of
rotation
Effectiveness depends on grinding
elements and vibration frequency.

Fig.5 Vibration
Mill

Knife Milling