|
| You are now viewing: |
Module 6: |
> |
Unit 1 > Lesson 2 |
|
| |
| Moisture Content |
| Wood composition and moisture content are two of the more important properties of woody biomass in terms of utilization potential and energy yield. Moisture plays a significant role in the type of conversion process used and, at high levels, reduces energy yield. Moisture content depends on a combination of climatic conditions, time of year when harvesting takes place, and the duration and method of storage. |
| Energy value increases as wood moisture content is reduced. Fermentation, a wet conversion process, is often suited to biomass having a high moisture content (e.g. corn, sugarcane, barley straw). Dry conversion processes such as pyrolysis, gasification, and combustion are suited to biomass having a low moisture content (e.g. wheat straw, pine, switchgrass, etc). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
High Moisture Content
Photos Courtesy of DOE/NREL,
Warren Gretz |
|
Low Moisture Content
Photos Courtesy of DOE/NREL,
Warren Gretz |
|
|
|
This concludes Unit 1: Properties of Woody Biomass.
To proceed to the next unit,
Unit 2: Conversion Processes, click the Next link.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
