http://www.biomassmagazine.com/articles/8620/georgia-southern-university-center-opens-pilot-pellet-mill
Georgia
Southern University’s Herty Advanced Materials Development Center has
opened the first fully-integrated pilot pellet mill in the United
States. The new production line, located in Savannah, Ga., includes a
nearly $2 million investment in process equipment. The facility will
provide a much-needed platform for innovation in process technology and
pellet design in the U.S. and will help rising global demand for biomass
pellets in Europe and North America.
With the introduction of the new mill, Herty will work with
technology providers and developers to help validate a number of product
development projects. The team will also support researchers working to
enhance pellet design and will develop methods for lowering operating
costs.
Pellets, formed from wood and bioenergy feedstocks such as miscanthus
and switch grass, are highly regarded as an effective, alternative
energy solution because of their relatively high energy density and ease
of handling. Pellets can also be easily integrated into existing
electric power generating plants as a fuel. As a result, the pellet
industry has witnessed tremendous growth as major European countries,
which have adopted mandates for greenhouse gas emissions, are using
biomass pellets at unprecedented rates. Most of the growth in Europe has
come from imports.
According to a recent report from the U.S. International Trade
Commission, annual global imports of wood pellets have grown from
virtually zero to more than $1.5 billion during the last decade.
However, research into improving the production of pellets, as well as
optimizing pellet operation and composition has lagged behind industry
growth. Developers, manufacturers and researchers will now be able to
benefit by having a flexible, integrated production facility that can
produce pellets with properties that are consistent with those achieved
in large-scale commercial facilities.
“For more than 75 years, Herty has been helping companies in a
variety of industries develop and validate new processes and products,”
said Alex Koukoulas, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of
Georgia Southern’s Herty Advanced Materials Development Center. “This
new pilot mill is a first and will help address a global need. The new
mill will serve as a valuable testbed by helping our clients confirm
product performance and operating efficiencies and before they commit
to an investment in full-scale manufacturing. Ultimately, the
Savannah-based facility will help companies lower technical risk and
accelerate delivery."
“To be a part of a larger mandate, assisting in clean energy
solutions, promoting a cleaner environment and impacting Georgia’s
economic growth makes our efforts here at Herty all the more
meaningful,” said Jill Stuckey, director, biomass development. Herty’s
pellet mill and production facility provides access to both advanced
technology and to new product development capabilities and support.
Capabilities and services include:
- Biomass preparation and pretreatment
- Biomass testing
- Pellet analysis
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