HEMP DECORTICATION, THE TRENDS IN APPLICATION AND
Transcription
HEMP DECORTICATION, THE TRENDS IN APPLICATION AND
HEMP DECORTICATION, THE TRENDS IN APPLICATION AND POSSIBILITIES OF BY-PRODUCTS UTILIZATION AND SHIVES AS A SOURCE OF ENERGY Jacek Kolodziej, Jerzy Mankowski parenchyma beast fibres leaf epidermis cambium epidermis cavity in pith wood Stem structure of fibres plants 2 Fibres plant stem cross-section 3 Flax fibres Flax fibres Hemp fibres The natural fibres, which are characterized by the: * high tenacity, * elasticity, * low specific weight. Hemp fibres The new technology of flax and hemp fibre extraction is based on decorticator processing of raw flax and hemp stalks and cleaning unit. The system could be applied as well in case of other bast plants processing: kenaf, jute and ramie. A decorticator equipped with hardened elements breaking the stem performs extraction of fibre from raw hemp straw. The fibre produced by the decorticator requires additional cleaning to remove the shives. The cleaning process is conducted in preliminary cleaning machine, equipped with sieves and a drum with vertical bars that separate the remains of wood. A new decorticating technology allows for significant simplification of a processing method used so far, improvement of production economics – through reduction of energy and labour consumption during extraction of fibre. The processing of hemp and flax straw proposed here eliminates labour consuming, costly and depending on weather conditions natural retting processes and additional drying of straw before processing (maximum moisture content in the straw in the new technology – 18%). The processing yield: ca. 1500 kg/h of the raw material The extraction process provides 25-30% of decorticated fibre, of impurities content: 20-25% for raw straw 10-15% for retted straw Decorticator Using the loosening and cleaning elements of textile machines (the drum of carding machine) allowed for obtaining fibre containing 4-5% of impurities. Fibre parameters After decortication After cleaning Average fibre impurities content 20-25% 4-5% Average length of decorticated fibre 58,9 mm 48,5 mm Average strength of decorticated fibre 33,4 cN/tex 22,5 cN/tex Decorticated fibre Possibilities of utilization of decorticated fibre * pulp and paper mass * composite materials * nonwoven Cellulose The hemp fibre, which contains approximately 75% of cellulose. Pulp on the base of long fibre is characterised by such features: * high mechanical strength, * resistance to tearing, * resistance to bending, * elasticity, * durability, * high porosity. Areas of application of long fibre pulp: * tee-bag paper, * low density condenser tissue, * base for meat packaging paper, * cigarette filter tissue, * lenses packaging tissue. * banknote and securities, * thin stationery (letter paper) * base paper for packaging tapes, * high quality book paper e.g. for Bible The obtained fibre, as well as waste hurds (shive), can be an excellent component for production of composite materials. Ecological disinfection mats made in flax and hemp fibres Eco-friendly solution The technology of producing disinfection mats based on cellulosic natural fibres allows for easy utilization of used out products by natural biodegradation processes and very much lowers the costs of such utilization. The mats made of natural bast fibres e.g. flax, hemp, jute fibres are, contrary to the mats made of man made fibres, completely biodegradable and thus eco-friendly. Possible bast fibres for use: Hemp fibres improve the breaking strength of the mat. Flax fibres improve the filling and water capacity of the mat. Ecological disinfection mats made of natural fibres Breaking strength of the disinfection mats Tensile strength of the sanitizing mat (surface density 950 g/m2) Tensile strength of the sanitizing mat (surface density 1350 g/m2) The mats, basen on nonwoven, developed at the Institute of Natural Fibres & Medicinal Plants in Poznan, are designed for protection zones that prevent spreading infectious diseases such as e.g. avian flu. They are recommended for use at: • passages in the area of chicken farms, • cowshed, • pigsties, • dairies, • fodder plants, • slaughter-house, • food processing plants, • apiaries, • livestock collection points, • mushroom-growing cellars, • border crossings. Examples of application Use of disinfection mats on passages and driveways Use of disinfection mats in farms In Poland, the Ministry of Economy is working on a document “Energy Policy for Poland till 2030”. The document is to define in details the strategic directions of action in the area of energy policy of the state. It is foreseen that estimated potential of domestic renewable energy resources in agriculture is about 120 PJ in 10 year horizon. According to the strategic provisions related to utilization of renewable energy resources, the main emphasis will be on energy obtained from industrial plants and biogas in farm biogas plants. The share of renewable energy in energy balance of the state is gradually growing: from 1.5% in 2001 up to 7.5% in 2010. It is estimated that the use of renewable energy in 2020 will reach 14% and 20% in 2030. The reasons for utilization of flax and hemp biomass as a source of energy: ECOLOGICAL FACTORS: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION THE DECREASE OF THE HARMFUL EFFECT OF AGRICULTURE ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT INCREASE OF THE CROPS DIVERSITY ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL FACTORS: DECREASE OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT IN RURAL AREAS The basic advantage of the biomass as the raw material for energy is the significant decrease of the CO2 emission to the atmosphere in comparison with the coal burning parameters. The steam of the CO2 emitted during the biomass burning is absorbed in the plant photosynthesis and it utilized for their growth. Flax * Straw yield 7 ton/ha * Fibre yield 1,7 ton/ha 28 Hemp is a phytosanitary crop, which enables hemp introduction to each crop ratation, practically after almost every other type of crop. Industrial hemp is observed as so called “plastic” crop: • adapts to the new conditions easily, • with significant forms, biological-morphological and economic value diversity It is estimated that cultivation of 1 ha of hemp absorbs about 2,5 tons of CO2 whitch contributes significantly to lessening of the green house effect. Hemp * Straw yield 12 ton/ha * Fibre yield 2,5 - 3 ton/ha 29 hemp shives 25% 75% flax shives fibres shives In Poland up to 1990, the utilization of shives to the production of the particleboards was popular. Due to the transformation of the economy, the and technological changes- the shives were almost not applied to the production of the boards. Currently the shives are the waste 30 products. The shives in a loose form are a dangerous material, which can explode during the burning process, due to the presence of dust. Unlike wooden chips, shives do not have to be dried before briquette production, which affects positively the economic aspects of their utilisation. Composit materials Shives Short fibres Celuloza 32 The scheme of the line for flax and hemp shives pellets production 1. Loading of the grinding device 2. Grinding device 3. Loading of the cheaping container 4. Cheaping container 5. Loading the pelleting machine (pelleter) 6. Pelleting machine (pelleter) 7. Cooling device 8. Filter 9. Collection of pellets Pellets made of hemp shives Length 5-30 mm Heating value 18 MJ/kg Weight 650.000 g/m3 Contents of ash 0,5 % Contents of sulphur 0,05% PELLETS are granules of the diameter of 6-10 mm and length 5-30 mm, which have been pressed with a very high density in the technological process. 34 The scheme of the line for flax and hemp shives briquettes production. 1. Cyclone 2. Container (tank) 3. Press 4. Steering panel 5. Stabilizer of briquettes Production of briquettes in the INF&MP Experimental Plant „Lenkon” Container Loading of shives to the briquetting machine Briquetting machine Stabilizer of briquettes The trials conducted at the INF&MP showed that it is not necessary to apply the bonding chemicals additivers as the shives are bonded by natural plant substances and high pressure. The processors of flax and hemp straw could obtain additional income, by selling the heating briquettes, produced on the base of flax and hemp shives, instead of paying for the by-products storage. According to the European Union regulations, the description of the planned utilization of by-products from flax and hemp straw processing, is the necessary condition to apply for the direct subventions. The energetic value of the plant raw materials kenaf 15,8 17,2 mallow 17,9 miscantus 18,1 corn 18,7 wheat straw 17,6 rapeseed straw 18,8 hemp shives 18,3 flax shives 17,0 wooden chips MJ/kg Heat of combustion of hemp shives and their mixture with rape meal rape m eal 30% hem p shives 70% 19,0 rape m eal 70% hem p shives 30% 19,6 18,8 hem p shives 19,9 rape m eal 18 19 [MJ/kg] 20 Energetic value of two chosen plants compared with hemp 300 249 250 [GJ/ha] 200 150 109 103 winter rapeseed sugar beet 100 50 0 hemp The very high energy efficiency is a result of high heat of combustion of hemp which is 18.8 MJ/kg and high yield of dry matter per hectare. Energetic value of rapeseed is also high (17.6 MJ/kg). Thus, the conclusion is that energy efficiency of plants is mainly affected by the level of yield rather than by the heat of combustion. Consequently, the profitability of crops cultivated for biomass depends on the selection of proper plant species which should be characterized by high and stable yields of dry matter and relatively easy and low energy consuming agronomic treatments applied. Application of the production technology of briquettes made of flax and hemp shives will allow for: Increase of the share of the renewable energy in the fuel-energetic balance of the country. The utilization of shives, which are currently a by-product, as the renewable source of energy of standard value. Utylization of the waste raw materials from flax and hemp processing, which rational usage is the condition for gaining the European Commission subsides. Creating new work places in the agriculture sector as well as enlargement of the scope of the services provided in agricultural processing. Creating alternative sources of incomes derived from the production of non food renewable raw materials. 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