During the past five years, the Biomass & Bioenergy Research Group (BBRG) at the University of British Columbia has conducted extensive research on wood pellet production, storage, handling, life cycle analysis, and characterization of new generation of torrefied pellets. A Collaborative Research and Development program between UBC, Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) and Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has funded this project. The British Columbia Ministry of Forest, Natural Resources Canada, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, FPInnovations, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (U.S. Department of Energy), and several private sector partners have also contributed to the development of feedstock engineering research at UBC. The BBRG is organizing a 2-day Workshop at the University of British Columbia during May 17-18, 2011 to share the latest research and development on wood pellets. In addition to members of the BBRG, key members of the industry are invited to present the state of technology of wood pellet processing, handling, and market trends.
Topics to be covered :
- Uses and applications of biomass pellets – international and domestic (current regionalconsumers);
- Unit operations for pellets production – sorting, grinding, drying, densification, and cooling;
- Integration of process equipment and the supporting systems for a sustainable operation;
- Physical and chemical properties of biomass and measurements; characteristics that are desirable and undesirable for pellet production;
- Emissions from pellets and pellet production operation;
- Techno-economical and life cycle analysis;
- Pellet logistics – feedstock resource transportation, and storage;
- Process control, optimization and instrumentation;
- Operability and maintainability considerations of pellet mills;
- Calculations – energy and mass balances for pellet production;
- Solid biofuel classification, certification and testing standards under development around the world (CEN, ISO, ASTM, ASABE, DIN etc.);
- Safety issues related to pellet handling and storage;
- Differences between pellets, pucks and bricks - can feedstock characteristics determine which to produce?
- Torrefied wood pellets – what are they, current state of commercial production, how do they compare to conventional pellets?
- Challenges in manufacturing pellets/pucks/bricks from roadside residues that remain after sawlog recovery (i.e. tops, branches and long-butts) and contain varying proportions of white wood, bark, foliage and contaminants (sand, gravel);
Workshop fee:
The workshop fee is $250 per individual attendee, including two lunches, refreshments, and course material. For members of the Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC), the attendance is free of charge for one person
from each pellet producing member company, including Fibreco. This offer is in recognition of financial and in-kind contributions the WPAC and Fibreco have made to BBRG program during the past five years.
Poster and table top exhibits:
Space for posters and table top exhibits is available free of charge. Registrations from individuals attending the exhibits are expected.
Workshop Location:
Room 202
Chemical and Biological Engineering Department
2360- East Mall Vancouver BC – V6T 1Z3
University of British Columbia
Housing and contacts:
A number of accommodation opportunities are available on the campus of the University of British Columbia. For more information and reservation please contact directly the following:
Conferences & Accommodation at UBC
5961 Student Union Boulevard
Vancouver, BC V6T 2C9
(604) 822-1000
http://www.ubcconferences.com/
Technical Program: Ladan Naimi, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 604-827-3413
Registration: Fahimeh Yazdanpanah, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 604-827-4286
Communications: Zahra Tooyserkani, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 604-827-3413
Posters & Table Top Exhibits: Xiao He, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 6048273178
Housing: Wendi Guo, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 604-827-4286