Northern Illinois University1, Batavia, IL 60510 DePauw University2,
Biomass is an important source in alternative energy. However, the energy density is not high enough to warrant transport over long distances. Therefore, small scale transport and handling methods are necessary for efficient integration into the energy grid. The behaviors of slow granular flows, such as biomass on a conveyor belt, are still poorly understood and are often defined only under very specific circumstances. This causes significant challenges in engineering design of granular processing and controlled flow systems. In this study, the aperture height and width of the hopper were manipulated to determine how these variables affect the mass flow rate of the non-uniform corn stover material. The results show that belt width affects the occurrence of jams, while door height causes incidence of rat holes, both of which disrupt the uniformity of flow rates. Based on our experimental conclusions, operational designs must strike a balance for door height and belt width. Continued research will examine tracking individual particles within the conveyor belt system to obtain velocity profiles and shear that creates the jamming and rat hole instabilities.
[Abstract (DOCX)]