Thermal Dynamics of Biomass Storage
Summary
The thermal behaviour of biomass during storage arises from a complex interplay of biological, chemical and physical processes that govern heat generation, transfer and accumulation within bulk piles. Microbial decomposition and low‐temperature oxidation of organic components release heat that elevates internal temperatures, while the inherent thermal properties of the material—conductivity, diffusivity and heat capacity—regulate the rate at which that heat is conducted towards the outer layers and dissipated to the environment. Key factors such as moisture content, particle size, pile geometry and ambient conditions determine the intensity of self‐heating and the likelihood of spontaneous ignition. Elevated temperatures can accelerate microbial activity and chemical reactions, leading to runaway heating and off‐gas emissions of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and, under anaerobic conditions, methane. Understanding these dynamics is essential for the safe handling of biomass feedstocks, for optimising energy yield in bioenergy applications and for minimising greenhouse‐gas emissions and fire risk during storage and transport.
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Thermal Dynamics of Biomass Storage publication trend
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Technical terms
Self‐heating: Autonomous heat generation within biomass due to microbial metabolism and low‐temperature oxidation.
Spontaneous combustion: Ignition resulting from internal heat accumulation exceeding critical thresholds without external flame.
Thermal conductivity: A measure of a material’s ability to conduct heat through its structure.
Thermal diffusivity: The ratio of thermal conductivity to volumetric heat capacity, governing the rate of temperature equalisation.
Pyrolysis kinetics: The study of reaction rates and energy barriers associated with thermal decomposition of biomass at low to moderate temperatures.
References
- Self-heating and spontaneous ignition of biomass storage piles: Towards a reliable prediction tool. Renewable Energy (2024).
- Quantifying self-heating ignition of biochar as a function of feedstock and the pyrolysis reactor temperature. Fuel (2019).
- Low temperature ignition of biomass. Fuel Processing Technology (2015).
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