Investigating the Rheological Properties of Chopped Corn Stover Biomass in Bulk

Flow parameters of chopped biomass, namely corn stover, are analyzed applying material testing techniques. The bulk fluid motion of the chopped biomass corn stover is examined using a custom made direct shear cell and a universal testing machine. The goal of this analysis is to test the bulk solid shear stress, internal friction, internal angle of friction and cohesion. The results of the stated tests are statistically analyzed and compared with literature. The measured properties of the biomass have the potential to be used in computer simulations for bulk solid flow analysis. The bulk fluid motion of the pulverized/chopped biomass can be simulated in storage and transportation equipment, including auguring screws and pneumatic conveyance systems, as well as devices for feeding biomass into thermochemical and biochemical reactors. Traditional biochemical and thermochemical reactors operate as batch systems because of the difficulty of feeding the biomass feedstock in a continuous manner. Having a clearer background about the structural and rheological properties of biomass feedstock will help simulate bulk-solid flows computationally and design efficient storage and continuous feeding systems.