Aeration of Baled and Chopped Miscanthus in a Covered Test Facility

This presentation reports on the development of a biomass storage research facility on the Energy Farm at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The facility is designed to test out the practicality and economics of biomass drying, aeration and storage using round and square bales or chopped biomass. Eight platforms were built under a covered facility to be used to provide for the aeration of bales or chopped material. The 2.44 m square platforms provide a plenum for the fans capable of generating airflow up to 2.147 m3 s-1 (4550 cfm). Air flow can be regulated by variable speed drive control and/or reducing the fan inlet area using adjustable aluminum air restrictors. Operational details of the facility are reported. Preliminary tests with round bales, square bales and chopped biomass are reported showing moisture profiles and temperature profiles of the material. The designed facility will be used to evaluate the full scale storage properties for Miscanthus, switchgrass, energy cane, sweet sorghum and other energy biomass materials.