Corn Stover Densification Methods and their Large-Scale Logistical Impacts—Preliminary Analysis
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Since 1905, the Department of Agricultural Engineering, now the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), has been a leader in providing engineering solutions to agricultural problems in the United States and the world. The department’s original mission was to mechanize agriculture. That mission has evolved to encompass a global view of the entire food production system–the wise management of natural resources in the production, processing, storage, handling, and use of food fiber and other biological products.
History
In 1905 Agricultural Engineering was recognized as a subdivision of the Department of Agronomy, and in 1907 it was recognized as a unique department. It was renamed the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering in 1990. The department merged with the Department of Industrial Education and Technology in 2004.
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1905–present
Historical Names
- Department of Agricultural Engineering (1907–1990)
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- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (parent college)
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Industrial Education and Technology, (merged, 2004)
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Abstract
The bulk density of corn stover poses a major obstruction to its large scale acceptance as a biomass feedstock. The loose bulk density of corn stover is low enough to create large inefficiencies during the harvest, transport, and storage phases of production. Overall production costs of stover could be reduced if a densification method were developed that provided adequate bulk density at a low specific energy during the harvest phase of production. So far, stover densification has been accomplished either by baling, grinding, or briquetting processes. Baling faces a logistical challenge with the handling cost of an individual bale, grinding systems don’t achieve high enough bulk densities alone, and briquetting systems generally require stover preprocessing (grinding), and the addition of heat energy. All of these factors for each system drive up the unit cost of corn stover production.
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This is an ASABE Meeting Presentation, Paper No. 1009074.