Biomass Storage
Biomass storage is required to ensure the continuous operation of the facility. To limit the space required for storage at the plant site, biomass must be stored in relatively high piles. Two main problems associated with fuel storage are decomposition and selfheating. Self-heating increases the rate of decomposition and fire risk, and it encourages the growth of thermophilic fungi whose spores can cause a respiratory condition in humans similar to farmers lung. Some small virgin biomass losses may occur at the storage stage, but they are likely to be negligible. For intermediary storage of the fuel between the pretreatment (e.g., drying and sizing) and gasification stage, storage silos may be used. (more…)
