Feeding characteristics of a novel double-bin pneumatic feeder of biomass particles

Abstract

To address biomass particle aggregation, bridging, pipe blockage and feeding fluctuation in bins and pipes, a novel double-bin pneumatic feeder (DBPF) based on double gases has been proposed to achieve continuous and stable feed for pyrolysis equipment. Taking larch particles as test materials, the feeding characteristics, including feeding rate, solid-gas ratio and pressured drop of the DBPF are investigated with different feeding parameters. The results are concluded as follows: (a) feeding characteristics are dependent on and limited by feeding parameters; (b) feeding mechanisms of injection gas and disturbance gas are essentially different; (c) disturbance gas enhances feeding stability and continuity; (d) injection gas and disturbance gas are complementary, which together promote the feed and stability; and (e) a model for feeding rate is established with accuracy of ±15%. The present study is expected to provide some useful reference for pneumatic feeder.