Biomass Compression Baler for Anaerobic Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for harvesting and storing chopped biomass face challenges such as multi-pass harvesting, high labor and infrastructure costs, and the risk of spoilage due to high moisture content, especially when processing fresh material with significant storage and transportation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a horizontal baler with a compression chamber and plunger that densifies chopped biomass into bales, expels air and liquid, and packages them in anaerobic conditions to maintain stability and prevent spoilage, using removable end plates and a hydraulic system for efficient compression and packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If chopped biomass is stored in silos or bunkers, then long term storage is achieved, but significant labor, infrastructure and cost are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the biomass through compression, achieving a bulk density of at least 15 lb/ft³. This parameter change allows the biomass to be stored in simple, flexible containers rather than requiring complex silo infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining long-term storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible plastic wrap to package the compressed biomass bales. This flexible packaging replaces rigid silo structures with simple, easily deployable containers that require minimal infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between storage duration and infrastructure requirements
2Productivity
If freshly chopped biomass with high moisture content is processed, then single pass harvesting is achieved, but spoilage risk increases during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of high moisture content (which causes spoilage) into a beneficial feature by compressing the biomass to such high density that the moisture is trapped and cannot facilitate microbial growth. The high density compression transforms the spoilage risk into a preservation mechanism, allowing single-pass harvesting of fresh material to proceed without compromising storage stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies extreme compression to change the physical state and density parameters of the moist biomass. By achieving a bulk density of at least 15 lb/ft³, the physical parameters are altered sufficiently to prevent spoilage even in high-moisture fresh material, thereby maintaining both harvesting efficiency and storage stability
3Weight of moving object
If biomass is compressed to high density, then transportability and storage efficiency are improved, but compression equipment and energy are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-service compression mechanism where the biomass material itself provides the compression force. As material is fed into the chamber, it compresses subsequent material through its own weight and the mechanical action of the feed system, eliminating or reducing the need for external compression energy input while achieving high bulk density for improved transportability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables long-term storage of chopped biomass without spoilage, facilitates easy handling and transportation, and maintains the composition and properties of the biomass, achieving bulk densities of at least 15 lb/ft3 and extending storage duration to six months or more.
Implementation Method 1
the plunger engages the chopped biomass and compresses it into a bale
Implementation Method 2
packaging the compressed biomass in anaerobic conditions to maintain stability and prevent spoilage
Data Source
AI summary
The method or process described is directed at conditioning and packaging freshly chopped biomass such that it can be stored for a long period of time without spoilage and such that the packaged chopped biomass is easily transportable and its composition and other properties remain stable.