Cellulosic Feedstock Machinery

Plant material contains cellulose, hemi cellulose and lignin.  Cellulose is the main component of the cell walls of plants.  It is the most common organic compound on earth and is available from a wide variety of plant based feedstocks.  The process of breaking down cellulose in plants to convert it to sugars that can be converted to ethanol is more difficult than corn-based ethanol technologies.

Feedstocks typically run through a hammer mill which grind up the material and ready it for processing. The hammer mills turn the feedstock into a fine powder which is then called the "flour".

This process, however, greatly expands the potential feedstocks that could be used for ethanol production. Switchgrass stands out of the cellulosic feedstocks because of it has fast growth, multiple growing seasons, increased yields, desirable environmental qualities and adapt to many regions. Research on switchgrass has increased in most recent years because its economic potential appears to be superior to the potential of wood crops.

A holding tank, has a passage and at the end of that is a conveyor belt that the cellulosic feedstock goes across and may have a variable pitch. It also maintains a constant time in the tank and which subjects the cellulosic feedstock to a hydrolysis process.

Typical feed systems are made up of feedstock storage bins pressure feeders and sealing devices, MSD Impressafiners, and rotary valves, pressurized reactors and hydrolyzers. The reactors and hydrolyzers can be horizontal or vertical.

Machinery used in the manufacture of switchgrass may include standard baling harvest equipment and drills for planting and windrowers. High-density balers allow farmers to load trucks more efficiently. Another efficient feature is hydraulics that pinch the bales and then release them onto the truck trailer. Cellulose baling out flat is the most efficient way of packaging cellulose. The resultant cellulose bale has all flat sides. It's good for stacking the cellulose bale on a pallet.