University Research

Decarbonization Avenue University research @ CLIMAX

Funding to solve biorefinery blockages

Objective/theme

The goal is to transform solid biomass into a slurry that can act more like a liquid flowing freely through material transportation systems in biorefineries.

Process & benefits

The researchers will create models to predict the physical properties - particle shape, size and surface charge - necessary for a liquid-like flow of solid materials.

Researchers plan to use these models to create regime maps for robust operation, which would tell engineers and operators how to adjust screw feeder and reactor operating parameters given measured biomass characteristics so that the inlet portion of the biorefinery can operate without difficulty.