A new study by the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) shows forest residue material in Canada can be pelletized in line with regulatory standards. Source: Timberbiz
WPAC, in partnership with BioPower Sustainable Energy Corporation, has conducted a comprehensive analysis of the feasibility and economic implications of using an in-woods grinder to process forest biomass for wood pellets.
BioPower, a Canadian manufacturer of commercial and residential grade wood pellets, carried out all field tests at its operations in Northern Ontario near Atikokan, including the collection and analysis of feedstock samples, pelletization, and data collection.
WPAC says the Ontario wood pellet industry is moving away from an exclusive dependency on sawmill residues to forest biomass as a primary raw material.
This pivotal transition is driven by a growing global demand for renewable energy sources, such as pellets, and increased use of forest residues, once left behind or burned on site after harvesting.
Though promising, forest biomass presents challenges such as contamination, variability in ash and moisture content, and higher processing costs, which need to be carefully managed to ensure the economic viability of wood pellet production.
The study’s thorough testing and analysis of forest residue material for pelletization in Ontario shows however, it can be used to produce high-quality pellets that comply with International Organization for Standardization standards.
The study found forest residue biomass exhibited higher levels of moisture and ash content compared with sawmill residues. However, with appropriate drying and processing techniques (such as mixing different feedstocks), these levels were brought within the acceptable range for pellet production, minimizing the risk of operational issues like slagging and fouling in boilers.
The finished pellets were tested against ISO 17225-2 standards, confirming that the pellets made with the proposed blends met either 11 or 12 industrial pellet ISO specifications for durability, energy content, and ash content.
The addition of forest biomass as a primary feedstock for Ontario’s wood pellet industry presents both challenges and opportunities.
While forest biomass is more complex to process than sawmill residues, it offers a sustainable and abundant source of raw material for pellet production. There are added environmental benefits in reducing fuel loads in the forest that can contribute to wildfires and improving air quality by not burning slash.
