HEMP DECORTICATION, THE TRENDS IN APPLICATION AND POSSIBILITIES OF BY-PRODUCTS UTILIZATION AND SHIVES AS A SOURCE OF ENERGY

Jacek Kolodziej, Jerzy Mankowski

beast fibres cambium

parenchyma

leaf epidermis

epidermis cavity in pith wood

Stem structure of fibres plants

Fibres plant stem cross-section

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
Average fibre impurities content Average length of decorticated fibre Average strength of decorticated fibre

After decortication
20-25% 58,9 mm 33,4 cN/tex

After cleaning
4-5% 48,5 mm 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%

fibres

shives

flax 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 Heating value Weight Contents of ash Contents of sulphur 5-30 mm 18 MJ/kg 650.000 g/m3 0,5 % 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 Stabilizer of briquettes

Loading of shives to the briquetting machine

Briquetting machine

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 mallow miscantus corn wheat straw rapeseed straw hemp shives flax shives wooden chips MJ/kg

15,8 17,2 17,9 18,1 18,7 17,6 18,8 18,3 17,0

Heat of combustion of hemp shives and their mixture with rape meal

rape m eal 30% hem p shives 70% rape m eal 70% hem p shives 30%

19,0

19,6

hem p shives

18,8

rape m eal

19,9 18 19 [MJ/kg] 20

Energetic value of two chosen plants compared with hemp

300 249 250

200 [GJ/ha]

150 109 100 103

50

0 winter rapeseed sugar beet 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.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION !!!

e-mali: jacek@inf.poznan.pl