Densification has a direct impact on cost. Low-bulk density, ranging from 4-6 pounds per cubic foot (64-96 kilograms per cubic meter), is a fundamental characteristic of loose, lignocellulosic biomass (Table 2). Bulk density is doubled to 9-12 pounds per cubic foot (128-192 kilograms per cubic meter) when biomass is baled, and increased to 20-30 pounds per cubic foot (320-480 kilograms per cubic meter) by chopping and compacting biomass to cubes or pellets. These densification processes reduce the volume of biomass that must be transported and stored. Transporting corn stover as chopped, baled, or cubed over a 25-mile (40-kilometer) distance is estimated to cost $18.94, $12.32 or $5.72 per dry ton ($20.35, $13.55, $6.29 per dry metric ton), respectively. The reduction in cost comes from increased tonnage per load as the bulk-density increases (Table 2).
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