Characterizing and Modeling Mechanical Properties of Biomass Harvesting and Processing Shuai Zhang Ag. And Biological Eng. Dept. Pennsylvania State University

Background Renewable Revolution: Bioenergy Energy Crops: Miscanthus and Switchgrass Machine and Field Efficiency Energy Consumption

Background Biomass Harvesting and Handling Miscanthus Harvester

High Efficiency Harvest Time Loading Force Bulk Density Energy Consumpt ion Machine Speed Biomass Type & Quality

Goal The goal of this research is to quantify main design parameters of biomass handling machines through experimental studies for engineers to find innovative solutions of increasing machine efficiency and field capacity.

Objectives Static and dynamic properties on cutting, bending, and compression processes Energy consumption requirements and mathematic models Mechanical behaviors of bulk densification process Quality of bulk densified energy crops

Hypothesis H1: Loading speed and type of tools changes H2: Moisture content and maturity of energy crops H3: Diameters, special mass and node or internode H4: The biomass additives H5: The bulk density of compressed materials

Methodology (Overview) Material collection and composition test Mechanical properties test : cutting, bending, compression Densification test with additives and energy consumption model Quality monitor

Material Collection Agronomy Farm of Pennsylvania State University Julian, Center Country, Pennsylvania

Aging: Select Harvest Time Highest yield: August or September Nutrient remobilization: November to March Aging: Composition change-lignin and cellulose change Mechanical Properties Conversion and machine efficiency during harvesting

Composition Test Energy Crop Cellulose Hemicellulose Lignin Ash Other

Physical Characteristics Biomass handling and delivering Moisture content Bulk density Diameter and height Specific mass

Mechanical Properties Force or stress that the material withstand and resisted Cutting: max. stress Bending: Young’s modulus: max. bending stress; yield point Compression : Compressive Stress; Energy The relationships of factors

Cutting Test Harvester cutting mechanism

Cutting Test Cutting Tool and Load Cutting Speed: Static New and Used Blades Sickle and Mower Blades

Device for Dynamic Testing Tool Adjustable Weight Height to control the end velocity Crop sample Shock absorber

Cutting Test Characteristics of Energy Crops Maturity Node and Internode

Cutting Test Loading speed: static: 5 in/min dynamic: in/min Measurement: Cutting force; Displacement; Diameter Calculation: Max. cutting force, max. Stress Energy consumption

Bending Test Round Baler

Bending Test Load Cell Support PVC

Bending Test Maturity Diameter

Bending Test Loading speed: 1 in/min Measurements: Bending force; Displacement Calculation: Bending stress; Bending energy consumption; Young’s modulus

Compression Test (single stem) Compression behavior

Compression Test Loading speed: 0.8 in/min Measurement: Compression force; Displacement Calculation: Compressive stress Compressive energy consumption

Compression Test Yield point Deform elastically Deform plastically Non-reversible

Compression Test (Bulk densification) Bulk densification Maturity-Mass Additives

Compression Test (Bulk densification) 10% volume Grind Sugarcane; 10% Grind Corn Stover Sugarcane Sugar Combination Lubricant Corn Stover Ash: Silicon Dioxide Calcium Oxide

Compression Test Bulk Densification Loading speed: 10 in/min Measurement: Compression Force; Volume Calculation: Compressive Stress ； Energy Consumption; Bulk Density

Composition Test Composition of original crop samples when collected Composition change after densified with Additives Component promotes densification Cellulose, Hemicellulose, Lignin,and Ash

Quality Test Moisture content Bulk density; Decay rate Monitor per month during one year period under different storage conditions

Data Analysis Force-displacement Curve Energy Consumption

Data Analysis Average Maximum Force-displacement Curve Diameter Strength

Data Analysis and Expected Result Factors affecting Force and Energy Used and New Knife for Cutting

Data Analysis and Expected Result Comparison of max compression forces (sample length: 100 mm) Samples at Different Heights of the Stem

Energy Model Development Factors of Bulk Densification bulk density particle size maturity loading speed additives temperature moisture content

Prospects Dynamic properties New additives (heating) Tensile properties