Theoretical and Applied Aspects of Biomass Torrefaction

Dr. Stephen Gent is an associate professor of mechanical engineering at South Dakota State University. He has been engaged in a variety of cutting-edge theoretical and applied research projects pertaining to renewable energy, sustainability, and agricultural processing. These projects include: 1) development of torrefaction technologies for converting agricultural residues to value-added biochar for soil amendment and biofuel applications; 2) development of fast pyrolysis strategies for producing bio-oil from non-food oilseed meals, 3) studying and computationally predicting the moisture release of corn in continuous flow drying for improved drying efficiency and throughput; 4) developing analytical tools and processes for improving the design of systems that grow algae for biofuels; 5) developing computational fluid dynamics modelling techniques for agricultural and biomedical applications, among others. The intention of his research has been how to effectively design engineered products and processes to be more efficient, reliable, and economical. Dr. Gent has an established publishing and funding record in which he has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications and has been a PI or Co-PI on a variety of projects funded by the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Transportation, and private industry. Dr. Gent has also served as the technical program chair for the Alternative Fuels and Infrastructure track for the last two years at the ASME Energy Sustainability Conference. As a professor, Dr. Gent has taught a variety of courses in thermal-fluids science and energy systems, including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and computational fluid mechanics, among others. He has embraced pedagogical strategies to actively engage students in the learning experience, while embracing traditional teaching styles that use well-written textbooks. Michael P. Twedt is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of South Dakota and has been performing energy assessments, system and equipment economic feasibility studies and analyzing energy and bio-energy systems since 1992. In this time he has conducted over 300 energy assessments on public and private facilities in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. He is currently the Director for the SDSU Energy Analysis Lab and the Wind Application Center where he is involved with several research projects dealing with energy conversion, wind energy development, bio-energy conversion, and bio-processing. Mr. Twedt’s core specialties include energy analysis, energy efficiency, mechanical systems and HVAC design, industrial systems optimization, economic justification analysis, and cost reduction analysis. Christina Gerometta has been analyzing energy systems since early 2012. She is currently completing her MS in Mechanical Engineering, with an emphasis on thermo-fluid energy systems, at South Dakota State University, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in 2011. In addition to analyzing energy systems for BTU Engineering, Ms. Gerometta is researching the potential of corn stover to be used as a bio-char for the Energy Analysis Lab at South Dakota State University. Ms. Gerometta is also a teaching assistant for the Measurements and Instrumentation course in the Mechanical Engineering Department at SDSU. Evan Almberg is an Engineer (Engineer in Training, EIT) in the energy industry working with natural gas systems.He graduated from South Dakota State University in 2016 holding a M.S. and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering where he focused on Sustainable Energy Systems and Thermo-fluids.He worked doing research on energy systems; including pyrolysis and bio-oil production, feasibility and economic modeling of torrefaction systems, as well as studies comparing ethanol blends to gasoline.

1. Introduction to Thermochemical Conversion Processes2. Introduction to Feedstocks 3. Fundamental Theories of Torrefaction by Thermochemical Conversion 4. Design Practices for Torrefaction Systems 5. Techno-Economic Considerations of Torrefaction 6. Torrefaction Bioenergy Generation 7. Torrefaction Bioenergy Applications 8. Environmental Considerations of Torrefaction