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Biomass Supply Logistics and Infrastructure

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Biofuels

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 581))

Summary

Feedstock supply system encompasses numerous unit operations necessary to move lignocellulosic feedstock from the place where it is produced (in the field or on the stump) to the start of the conversion process (reactor throat) of the biorefinery. These unit operations, which include collection, storage, preprocessing, handling, and transportation, represent one of the largest technical and logistics challenges to the emerging lignocellulosic biorefining industry. This chapter briefly reviews the methods of estimating the quantities of biomass, followed by harvesting and collection processes based on current practices on handling wet and dry forage materials. Storage and queuing are used to deal with seasonal harvest times, variable yields, and delivery schedules. Preprocessing can be as simple as grinding and formatting the biomass for increased bulk density or improved conversion efficiency, or it can be as complex as improving feedstock quality through fractionation, tissue separation, drying, blending, and densification. Handling and transportation consists of using a variety of transport equipment (truck, train, ship) for moving the biomass from one point to another. The chapter also provides typical cost figures for harvest and processing of biomass.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA

    Shahabaddine Sokhansanj

  2. Biofuels and Renewable Energy Department, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, USA

    J. Richard Hess

Authors
  1. Shahabaddine Sokhansanj
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  2. J. Richard Hess
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Bioconversion Science & Technology, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Bethel Valley Road 1, Oak Ridge, 37831-6341, U.S.A.

    Jonathan R. Mielenz

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© 2009 Humana Press, a part of Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

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Sokhansanj, S., Hess, J.R. (2009). Biomass Supply Logistics and Infrastructure. In: Mielenz, J. (eds) Biofuels. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 581. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-214-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-214-8_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-60761-213-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-60761-214-8

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