A new pulverized biomass utilization technology

Pulverized wood biomass utilization technologies, such as gasification and liquefaction, were discussed. Firstly, pulverization technique of wood biomass by a vibration mill was introduced, and pulverized wood biomass characteristics were evaluated. The wood powder pulverized by the vibration mill had a round shape, and the wood fibers were completely broken. Therefore, the diameter of wood powder was fine and the crystallinity of cellulose was very low. By using this pulverized wood biomass, high temperature gasification experiment and liquefaction experiment were conducted. Gasification experiment was conducted in an entrained down flow gasifire. Since fine wood powder had a high reactivity, the gasification experiment showed the high gasification performance without a tar generation. Liquefaction experiment of wood biomass was conducted in a hot compressed water to produce saccharine. Pulverized wood biomass was also used as a raw material in the liquefaction experiment. By using very fine wood powder, productivity of saccharine increased dramatically.