For biomass to serve as a dependable energy source, it must be managed as effectively as it is converted. The way it flows through a plant and is stored over time determines safety, reliability, and overall process efficiency. Managing large quantities of low-density, variable feedstocks requires coordinated biomass flow and storage systems that keep materials moving consistently and in good condition.
Biomass flow covers the movement of a material through a facility, from drying and sizing to delivery into the conversion unit. Meanwhile, biomass storage ensures the material remains stable, dry, and available as required. In advanced biorefineries and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCs) plants, these systems must handle larger volumes and deliver greater efficiency and sustainability. Engineers are improving each step of biomass handling through better preparation, storage configuration, and monitoring. These advancements are setting the stage for new innovations in flow and storage that will define the next generation of biomass facilities.
Feedstock Preparation: The Basis for Reliable Flow and Storage
Drying and Moisture Management
Effective biomass flow and storage begins with moisture control. Modern dryers now use rolling-bed and convective systems to achieve more even drying across a range of feedstocks while using less energy. Maintaining uniform moisture content improves flowability, reduces microbial activity, and lowers the risk of self-heating during storage. New control systems also allow operators to adjust airflow and temperature in response to changing feedstock conditions, improving both efficiency and reliability.
Size Reduction and Densification
Preparing biomass for storage and conversion depends on controlling particle size and density. Chipping, grinding, pelletizing, and torrefaction processes increase bulk density and make irregular material behave more like a predictable bulk solid. Such methods improve stability in storage, reduce overall volume, and help sustain a steady feed rate during conversion. Ongoing refinements in equipment design and process control are producing denser, cleaner, and more uniform feedstocks for next-generation facilities. However, each size reduction step adds cost to the price per ton and can sometimes result in a non-viable project. Material flowability tests, along with engineering design, can determine what size fraction is optimal for handling, processing, and overall cost.
Feedstock Monitoring and Traceability
Digital monitoring is becoming an integral part of biomass handling. Sensors can measure temperature, bulk material moisture content, humidity, and gas concentrations within storage and processing areas, while tracking systems record the origin and condition of each feedstock batch. This information helps operators detect developing flow or safety issues before they interrupt production.
Engineering Reliable Biomass Storage: From Domes to Data
Next-Generation Storage Structures
Engineered silos, domes, and covered yards remain central to reliable biomass storage, but their design continues to advance. New polymer and composite liners can reduce wall friction and prevent material buildup and corrosion-resistant steels and improved concrete formulations can enhance durability in humid environments. Modern structures also use better insulation to limit condensation and temperature fluctuations. Inside the storage units, steeper hopper angles based on wall friction test data, aerated floors, and live-bottom reclaim systems promote mass flow and minimize bridging or ratholing if designed correctly based on flowability tests of the biomass. Together, these refinements provide stable, uniform feedstock flow and safer long-term storage performance.
Automation and Flow Assurance
Automation is reshaping how biomass is reclaimed and fed into conversion processes. Live-bottom bins, moving-floor systems, and variable-speed screw feeders now maintain a steady flow even with variable feedstocks. Automated discharge controls and mass-flow sensors adjust feed rates in real time, reducing blockages and improving consistency. Integrated temperature and gas detection also provide early warnings of self-heating or oxygen depletion, improving both safety and uptime. With automated systems applied across biomass flow and storage, operators can manage material movement more precisely and with less manual intervention.
Digital and Predictive Logistics
Digital tools are giving operators better control over biomass flow and storage. IoT-linked sensors track moisture, temperature and inventory levels across silos and yards. Moreover, digital twins simulate material behavior under changing conditions. AI-based scheduling uses this data to plan feedstock use, reduce degradation, and improve turnover. These predictive systems help align biomass supply with process demand, improving overall efficiency and reducing storage losses.
Integration with Next-Generation Conversion and Energy Systems
Supporting Advanced Conversion Pathways
In gasification and bio-refining facilities, advances in biomass flow and storage design are improving process stability and efficiency. Consistent material feed supported by automated discharge, mass-flow silos, and real-time monitoring helps maintain steady reactor conditions and higher energy yields. Furthermore, integration between handling systems and conversion units now allows continuous adjustment to feed properties, reducing downtime and variability.
Enabling BECCS and Carbon-Negative Operations
Next-generation BECCS plants depend on reliable biomass storage and traceable material flow. Digital tracking platforms can record feedstock origin, movement, and use, providing the data needed for accurate carbon accounting and certification. Controlled feeding and stable storage conditions support uninterrupted carbon dioxide capture, while integrated monitoring ensures performance across the full value chain.
Advanced Feeding Solutions: Jen-Zero™ Technology
Feeding low-density biomass from storage into high-pressure reactors has long presented operational challenges. Conventional screw or rotary feeders often struggle to sustain a consistent flow, leading to pressure fluctuations, gas leakage, and mechanical wear. Jen-Zero™ technology addresses such issues with a controlled, pressure-balanced feeding approach that enables the reliable transfer of material from storage systems into high-pressure environments. Through maintaining seal integrity and uniform feed rates, Jen-Zero™ improves process stability, safety, and reactor efficiency. This advancement strengthens the link between biomass flow and storage, supporting continuous and predictable operation in gasification, pyrolysis, and BECCS facilities for next-generation bioenergy production.
Partner with Jenike & Johanson For Reliable Biomass Flow and Storage
Jenike & Johanson helps operators improve biomass flow and storage through material testing, flow analysis, and engineering design. Drawing on decades of bulk solids experience, our specialists identify handling challenges and develop practical design recommendations for reliable flow and safe storage. Using proven methodologies and technologies such as Jen-Zero™ for low-density materials, we help facilities achieve consistent performance in next-generation bioenergy systems. For more information in relation to our biomass flow and storage services, contact Jenike & Johanson now.
