nir-vana innovation network

The research group from the Forest Biomaterials and Technology department at a Swedish University has vast experiance in research and development projects using the latest technology as a tool for developing a bio-based economy where forest biomaterials are an important resource. They recently got award-winning for their research on characterization and densification of carbonized lignocellulosic biomass. A research that the late additive injection technology are a spin-off from.

The patented technology enables efficient delivery of soluble and vapour-phase additives (e.g. steam, water or temperature-sensitive compounds) to feed or fuel pellets. The equipment consists of retrofitted nozzles that are directed at the nip between the feed roll and the die, where the material enters the press channels, on rotating ring-die pellet mills. The new technology has been tested and experimentally validated with sawdust feedstock in an industrial-scale (100 thousand tonnes) wood pellet plant whose traditional process added steam up-stream of the mill.

Feedstock from lignocellulosic biomass such as wood sawdust are rigid and the pelleting process benefits from steam treatment by softening the material. Traditionally, the steam is added in a mixer before the material enters the pellet mill. This innovation adds steam directly into the press nip, right before compression. This enables more efficient steam use, reducing the amount by two thirds while preserving pellet quality. Steam delivery at the nip, also resulted in a reduction in mill power consumption, making possible an increase in material throughput and production rate. As industrial validation was carried out with the most common type of pelleting mill (rotating ring-die), retrofitting of the technology opens up immense saving of production costs across the sector.
Long-duration pelleting trials with this technology demonstrated no abnormalities in operation. For example, the press rolls in the pellet mill maintained normal temperatures and no excessive fine material built-up within the press housing. On the contrary, the amount of fine material accumulating in the housing was considerably less than in the business as usual case. This is likely a result of better flow properties of the incoming material without the up-stream addition of steam. This significantly reduces the risk of electrical current spikes in the mill and unscheduled factory down time, a frequent event when material accumulates within the housing and falls into the die.

The technology is protected by patent and the inventors hope to find a global partner that can produce and promote the technology on the global pellet market. Preferably an industrial partner developing and manufacturing equipment and process lines to the pelletization industry, fuel and/or feed pellet. Pellet mill owners with need to make their steam or other additives use more energy efficient, would also be of intrest.

The inventors can consider a partner to make an acquisition of the IP. They can also consider a licensing- or commercial agreement with technical assistance. If needed the inventors will offer their knowledges in pelletization processes for the transfer of the technology to its new owner or integration at an pellet mill owner.

Advantages & innovations

- Short payback time on investment - Possible to retrofit in existing pelletmill or install in new - Enables higher throughput in existing plant - Lowers the total energy consumption during pellet production

Stage of development

Available for demonstration

Partner sought

Primarily industrial partners developing and manufacturing equipment and process lines to the pelletization industry, fuel and/or feed pellet, willing to bring this solution to the market. Secodary pellet mill owners with need to make their steam or other additives use more energy efficient. The inventors can consider an acquisition of the IP, licensing or an commercial agreement with technical assistance.