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🍂 Beyond the Number: How Seasons Shape Biomass Drying for Pyrolysis

We often rely on a single Moisture Content (MC) value when prepping biomass. This number, however, masks critical seasonal changes that dictate drying efficiency and final product yields. Optimising your process means understanding the quality of the water, not just the quantity. 💧 Free vs. Bound Water: The Drying Energy Gap Water within biomass isn’t

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Combustible Dust Safety Self-Assessment

Operating a biomass pyrolysis facility? Use this 25-point checklist to evaluate your current dust explosion prevention controls. This self-assessment covers the hierarchy of controls—from elimination and substitution through to engineering and administrative measures—helping you identify potential gaps in your safety program. This is a screening tool only. It provides an initial indication of your risk

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The Hierarchy of Controls for Biomass Pyrolysis Dust

Combustible dust in biochar operations poses serious explosion and fire risks. This guide presents a 5-level framework for managing these hazards, ranked from most to least effective: 1. Elimination (Most Effective) – Remove the hazard entirely through design choices like enclosed material transfer, continuous flow systems, and remote operation that keeps personnel out of hazardous

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Your Safety Blueprint: The Hierarchy of Controls (Part 2 of 2)

In Part 1, we covered the robust, human-independent controls: Elimination, Substitution, and Engineering. Now, we move to the final two layers of the safety blueprint, the essential, human-driven protocols that keep those engineered systems effective. These layers rely on people and discipline. They are the necessary defense when physical barriers fail. 4. Administrative Controls (The

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The Impact of Pyrolysis on Dust Explosibility: A Look at Biochar

While the combustible nature of biomass dust is well-established, pyrolysis can sometimes increase its explosive properties, something we should keep in mind when doing risk assessments and safety protocols. During pyrolysis, the material’s volatile components are driven off, resulting in a product with a much higher carbon content and significantly reduced moisture. This leads to

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Unlocking Reactor Performance: Our systematic troubleshooting approach

When it comes to newly installed pyrolysis reactors, the journey from commissioning to optimal performance isn’t always a straight line. Sometimes, even with top-tier equipment, we encounter those elusive operational challenges that impact everything from yield to product quality. I’ve been reflecting on why some reactors don’t immediately hit their stride. It’s often not about

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