[Stoves] Bulk density of LPG vs pellets

[Law, Steven (MOECC)]

A few thoughts for consideration:
1. LPG is a fossil fuel that emits GHG while wood pellets are a renewable fuel when made of sustainable forest products
2. the weight of the LPG containers is considerable for transportation purposes since they have to be transported twice in order to be used once, whereas the wood pellets only have to be transported once and the truck can be used to transport something else during the return trip
3. the shape of the LPG containers does not lend themselves to easy stacking and will waste a lot of space in the truck whereas wood pellets can be stacked quite densely and there won't be any wasted space on the truck
4. the LPG containers will degrade over time and may eventually leak or explode whereas this will never happen with wood pellets
5. the LPG will not likely keep money in the local community, but rather the money will be exported from the community to pay for the imported fuel, whereas wood pellets will likely keep money in the local community and provide local jobs and tax revenue
6. the ash from burning wood pellets can be used as a soil fertilizer to grow more food in the community

I hope these few thoughts lend themselves to a more community based holistic view to the problem with a triple bottom line approach, rather than a single bottom line calculation with the primary motivation to be maximizing profit for LPG companies.


-----Original Message-----
From: Stoves [mailto:stoves-bounces at lists.bioenergylists.org] On Behalf Of Paul Anderson
Sent: February 13, 2018 10:15 AM
To: Stoves and biofuels network
Subject: [Stoves] Bulk density of LPG vs pellets

Dear Stovers and friends,

I hope that someone can provide an answer to this question:

The situation:  A fuel for cooking needs to be transported to communities in somewhat remote locations.   There are roads that at least allow a pickup truck to go in and out year-round.  The people have access to locally sources woody biomass fuel, but are interested in having some better stoves with processed fuels.   In particular, they are considering LPG in standard bottles/tanks that are brought in full, and empties are taken back.    They are also considering  pellets that are in typical 40 pound (~18 kg) bags, with local sales in smaller quanties.   Consider initially that the pellets are made in the same location where the LPG bottles are refilled.  (We can consider different distances of transport later, if of interest).  (also, there will be some differences if different sizes of LPG bottles or pellets in super-sacks are used, but that is not of much interest in this initial
discussion.)

The question:  How much energy can be transported in each delivery trip, and which becomes the most economical -- or are they about the same? The LPG has more energy per kg of fuel, but must be transported in metal containers that are cylindrircal and occupy much space.   The pelelts are in bags that can be stacked (such as on a pallet of pellets).

Boilse down to:   LPG in bottles vs pellets in sacks.

My thanks to everyone who contributes to answering this question.

Paul

--
Doc  /  Dr TLUD  /  Prof. Paul S. Anderson, PhD
Email:  psanders at ilstu.edu
Skype:   paultlud    Phone: +1-309-452-7072
Website:  www.drtlud.com


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