SMALL-SCALE PELLETIZATION OF SWITCH GRASS

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: SERD GRANT
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0210067
• Grant No.: 2007-38424-17951
• Proposal No.: 2007-02102
• Project Start Date: Sep 1, 2007
• Project End Date: Aug 31, 2010
• Grant Year: 2007
• Program Code: [ZY]- Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program

Recipient Organization
BAY MILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
12214 W. LAKESHORE DR
BRIMLEY,MI 49715

Performing Department
RESEARCH

Non Technical Summary
Development of alternative, renewable energy (RE) is a high priority for American Indian and non-American Indian communities. Amongst the resources available for RE, biomass energy has recently received considerable attention, esp. corn-based ethanol, and soy-based biodiesel. The overall efficiency (energy in/energy out) of these fuels is the basis of considerable debate. Of the numerous plants studied for potential as a source of RE, the grass Panicum virgatum, commonly know as switch grass has been identified as an ideal candidate. These, and other features, including high BTU content, its ability to grow on a wide variety of soils, a long lifespan, and 1X/yr. harvesting cycle fit stringent sustainable RE requirements. This project proposes to 1) amass existing knowledge available through published reports, web-pages, site visits, and personal communication specifically concerning the small-scale pelletization of switch grass; 2) experiment designing a simple, small scale, switch grass pelletizer, and 3) conduct trials in pellet stoves for overall performance and reliability, and 4) develop protocols for future research and ultimate production of switch grass pellets with minimal equipment in tribal and rural areas. BMCC s leading regional role in RE, as well as MSUs role in state RE and agriculture, combined with ARS-USDA form an ideal institutional matching (1994, 1862, and Federal agricultural research agency, respectively).

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
903	6099	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

renewable energy

switch grass

small scale pelletization

Goals / Objectives
Project objectives include the following: 1) Assess current state of knowledge and ongoing research concerning switch grass pelletization, 2) Obtain switch grass from local (and regional, if necessary) sources for pelletization experiments, 3) Develop experimental, small-scale, pellet press utilizing low-cost off the shelf equipment, 4) Conduct base-line trials with high-efficiency gasifying pellet stove for pellet feeding reliability, and combustion, 5) Develop simple protocols for the production of experimental pellets and potential production, and 6) Integrate project into BMCC academic STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and trade programs by providing Research Assistant opportunities, 7) Promote project as part of BMCC RE Program, and make available for demonstration, outreach, and public outreach purposes.

Project Methods
The project has 5 basic phases as follows: Phase 1. Information gathering. This includes a thorough review of all available literature, discussions with individuals with specialized knowledge concerning switch grass agronomy, pelletizing, pellet stoves, etc. Following this, field and site visits are necessary to both meet with stakeholders and see laboratories, field trials, storage facilities, pelletizing facilities, manufacturers, and alternative processes such as the local-level switch grass cogeneration OPET project in Iisalmi, Finland sponsored by the EU. Phase 2. Source materials. Establish sources of switch grass for subsequent pelletization. Obtain pellet stoves and equipment for experimental pelletization process (described below). Phase 3. Conduct pelletization experiments and establish protocols. A relatively low-cost and commercially available wood and leaf chipper (which will serve as a substitute for a more costly hammer mill) will be used for chopping and shredding the grass. The resulting chopped grass will then be fed (with and without adjuncts) into a medium-sized meat grinder with modified dies (also low-cost and easily available) to produce a rough pellet. This material will then be air dried (using ambient in-floor heating) and later tested. Methods of processing will be documented to establish successful, as well as unsuccessful protocols. Phase 4. Evaluate pellets. Dried pellets will be combusted in two FPI Dell-Point/Green Fire high-efficiency gasifying pellet stoves to determine their suitability for both machine (auger) feeding and combustion. Phase 5. Project evaluation, write-up, and presentation.

Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/10

Outputs
The mission of the Small-scale Pelletization of Switch Grass project was to explore the feasibility of employing inexpensive methods for utilizing switch grass to produce fuel pellets which could be used as a source for home heating in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula. This project began as a partnership between Bay Mills Community College (BMCC), the Agriculture Research Service , and Michigan State University Extension (MSUE), under the coordination of project Director Dr. Michael Doyle. In the first two years of the project, considerable attention was paid to identifying varieties of switch grass which would be most appropriate as a feed stock for fuel pellets and to testing numerous low cost methods of converting the switch grass into usable fuel pellets. Valuable information was gained regarding the potential of switch grass as a fuel crop in the region and which techniques of producing the pellets showed the most promise and which ones could be eliminated from further consideration. Towards the end of the second year of the project, project director Dr. Michael Doyle left the employ of Bay Mills Community College; eventually Dr. Steve Yanni was hired and took over the role of project director for the final year of the project. At this point Lake Superior State University (LSSU) was identified as a new project partner due to their parallel research utilizing reed canary grass. The new project team of Bay Mills Community College, Michigan State University Extension, and Lake Superior State University mobilized very quickly. Utilizing regionally grown switch grass supplied by MSU Extension and pelletizing equipment from LSSU, fuel pellets comprised of switch grass were successfully produced and burned in a multi fuel pellet stove purchased by BMCC for the project. The new research partnership identified numerous questions for further exploration, including 1) is switch grass or reed canary grass more promising locally as a stock for fuel pellets, 2) is grass based fuel pellet production an economically feasible opportunity for large scale development in the region, 3) which varieties of switch grass and reed canary grass show the most promise, and under which production methods, and 4) which pellet production methods produce the highest quality pellets. A new Tribal College Research Grant project has been funded to explore these questions, involving the same research team comprised of BMCC, MSUE, and LSSU. PRODUCTS: The product of this project was the actual fuel pellets produced from switch grass; this is the first time that switch grass fuel pellets have been produced in the region. OUTCOMES: The outcomes of the project include increased research capacity amongst the project partners and an increased regional interest in the potential of grass based fuel pellets as an economic development activity in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula. These outcomes combined to motivate a new Tribal College Resarch Grant project which will take was has been learned and increase the scope of the project. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Project dissemination activities have included an article in the BMCC newsletter, a poster and white paper developed by LSSU, and a report to the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Future initiatives include a new Tribal College Research Grant project: Bay Mills Grass-based Fuel Research Project; this project includes the three partners (BMCC, LSSU, MSUE) and will produce the information needed to understand the larger scale potential for grass-based fuel pellet production as an economic development activity in the region.

Impacts
The impacts of the project include a strong regional research partnership comprised of a local state university, an 1862 land grant university, and a 1994 land grant college focusing on regionally appropriate bio-fuels, renewed confidence and interest in grass-based fuel pellet production in the region, additional motivation and resources for the development of an agri-science research, extension, and production facility by BMCC, and utilization of a multi-fuel pellet stove in a BMCC facility

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09

Outputs
The project is now in year two. The small-scale pellitization test lab has been established, which provides a platform on which to conduct the proposed experiments. One unforseen problem involved the actual switchgrass itself. Due to an inadequate growing season and unseasonable temperatures, switchgrass for the project was unavailable; putting the actual testing phase on hold. Another problem which impeded progress was the fact that it took until March of 2009 to finalize an agreement with the USDA Agricultural Research Station as a project collaborator. PRODUCTS: Three switchgrass pellitizers were purchased and/or donated for the research project. Two of the pellitizers were built at BMCC with assistance from students. Collaborative partnerships have been expanded to include two producers of pellet stoves; Freedom Equipment Co. and Seraph Industries. OUTCOMES: The small-scale pellitization lab has been established at the BMCC West Campus site. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Project progress and outcomes have been shared with all collaborative partners and continues to be highlighted at the State Energy Fair, at National conferences, and during student workshops at BMCC. A meeting was held in February with Lake Superior State University regarding projects at Bay Mills and the potential for transfer to LSSU in STEM related programs. FUTURE INITIATIVES: The project will require an extension to continue. The project will involve experimentation using switchgrass, which will be available in September 2009. It is also proposed that other fuels sources be explored; for example cherry pits have been proposed as a potential fuel source as they are readily available in Michigan.

Impacts
Interest in pelletization has increased dramatically, particularly amongst BMCC students and instructors.

Publications

• No publications reported this period

Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/08

Outputs
The purpose of this project was originally to research and develop simple, low-cost, small-scale pelletization of switch grass for direct combustion (e.g. heat and/or hot water). However, the scope of the project has expanded to include other grasses (for example locally obtained hay) and other plant biomass such as deciduous leaves. The original proposal also focused on the application of a simple auger-type extrusion process; a second process referred to as "flat die" is now being tested. In addition, simple briquetting techniques are also being examined as alternatives to pelleting. PRODUCTS: The approach is collaborative. The project is based at BMCC's Renewable Energy Lab, under the direction of the project P.I. (Dr. Michael Doyle) where the bulk of the research is taking place. Student Research Assistants are assigned specific project goals and participate in both research and development. Biomass is obtained from local sources, as well as remote site/species specific field trials, in collaboration with an agronomist (H. C. Min) at MSU-E (Chatham, MI), and a plant geneticist (M. Casler) at USDA-ARS. In addition, two private companies:Colorado Milling Company and Seraph Industries are collaborating on pelletization equipment design and pellet stove technology, respectively. OUTCOMES: The objectives, as stated above, will surely be partially met by the award deadline. However, as modifications of the process occur, design, fabrication, and subsequent testing all take time. It is envisioned that two significant outcomes will result from the project(i) a review of existing low-cost small-scale pelleting options (including equipment and techniques) currently available, and (ii) recommendation for improved equipment designs and process technologies. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Project outcomes have been shared at the State of Michigan Energy Fair as well as throughout the country through formal presentations and informal discussions involving the PI. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Research will continue to develop simple, low-cost, and small scale pelletization of grasses for use in residential and commercial applications.

Impacts
Since the project was initiated, overall interest in biofuel "pellets" has greatly increased due to increased energy costs, and recent market shortages in biofuel pellets. Thus, the research underway is particularly relevant, and of great interest to wide sector of stakeholders.

Publications

• No publications reported this period