First American Scientific Corp. (fka FASC)

[All City Baby]

4th Quarter Activity: All field activities have been completed and the project staff is working on finishing up past-due milestone reports and the final reports. Research results indicated that the current Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers (MnVAP) pelletization process is more efficient processing large quantities of biomass than through a process that incorporates kinetic disintegration technology. Total energy cost was greater per ton biomass processed using the KDS compared to MnVAP’s current system based on equivalent throughput values. The project did create a platform to focus on the efficiency of MnVAP’s current operation of processing. Densification trials resulted in similar pellet durability and density; however, throughput efficiency was limited due to fiber structure of material processed kinetic disintegration. The project allowed MnVAP the opportunity to investigate another means of grinding and drying to potentially improve the current process efficiency. It was discovered that the KDS system was not the most efficient option based on the
throughput capacity required for MnVAP’s operation. To optimize the KDS technology and improve throughput, performance and acceptable particle size forpelleting would require a specific moisture and fiber length that differs from the fiber structure of their current processing system. Automation of the KDS into their
MnVAP’s process would be challenging. A final presentation was given to the RDF advisory group on December 9, 2014.

Minor contract modifications requiring administrative approval were made to reflect a no-cost, 4-month contract extension (see Attachment C) to submit required milestone documents, present project findings to the RDF advisory group, and a change in contact information for the Contract Manager. The modifications were made and approved according to procedures stipulated in Part 4, Paragraph C of the RDF contract.

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