Computational Engineering & 

Simulation Laboratory 

Using specially 

programmed 3-D virtual 

engineering software, 

scientists and engineers 

can save countless hours of 

mechanical design and test 

demonstrations to find 

workable solutions for 

delivering a sustainable 

feedstock of biomass for 

DOE’s Office of Biomass. 

Purpose 

Biomass handling, separation, and fractionation processes can be characterized as gas/solid 

multi-phase flows with impacting moving boundaries. The physics of these types of

processes are very complicated and present unique challenges for developing methods to 

characterize these flows and biomechanical loadings. Various computational tools including 

computational fluid dynamic, finite element stress analysis, and empirical correlations based 

on advanced experimental methods and measured data provide predictive insight into the

behavior and physics of these types of processes for accomplishing the necessary biomass 

handling and preprocessing operations. 

Research Goals 

It is the goal of this research to develop predictive computational and experimental methods 

and tools for use in designing and evaluating biomass handling, fractionation and separation,

and preprocessing technologies that are necessary to reduce the cost and increase the quality 

of biorefinery feedstocks. 

Critical Linkages 

The methods and tools developed through this feedstock/sugar interface R&D will link 

feedstock costs, quality, and sustainability metrics of harvesting, preprocessing, bulk

handling, and storage systems to downstream pretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation 

operations. 

The results of this feedstock/sugar interface R&D will help meet the programatic goal (C 

Level Milestone) of producing 150 million tons of cellulosic feedstock per year by 2010 with 

a 50% cost reduction compared to current technologies baselined in FY03. 
Laboratory Personnel 

The program is supported by a technical staff with varied backgrounds and capabilities, 

comparable to no other program of its kind. Kevin Kenney and Chris Wright (shown in cover 

image) are the project leads and technical experts of virtual engineering and computational 

simulation. Kevin Kenny’s expertise also includes particle image velecometry (PIV), 

software development, separation techniques, and application of virtual engineering tools. 

Chris Wright is an expert in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), experimental fluid 

mechanics, and fractionation and densification techniques. Along with support staff and 

collaborating partners, the INL team is addressing key bioenergy technical barriers captured 

in DOE Office of Biomass Programs’ goals and milestones.

For more information 

Laboratory Capabilities and Equipment 

Management contact: Key Capabilities: 

J. Richard Hess 

Bioenergy Initiative

2008.526.0115

JRichard.Hess@inl.gov

Project Leads:

Kevin Kenney 

208.526.8098

Kevin.Kenney@inl.gov 

Chris Wright 

208.526.3075

Christopher.Wright@inl.gov 

Bending-stress analysis model 

of wheat straw where red 

areas show targeted fractu

enhancement possibiliti

induced by equipment 

loadings. 

• Virtual engineering systems simulation and integration 

• Experimental and computational fluid dynamics 

• Computational stress analysis and fracture mechanics 

• Systems engineering and integration 

Specialty Equipment: 

• Sun-Fire 4800 workstation with 12- 750 MHz CPUs. 

• Fluent 6.2.16 computational fluid dynamics software (6 parallel processors) 

• ABACAS computational stress analysis software 

• Computational simulation system

- VE-Suite software package 

- 6 ft x 8 ft stereo projection screen 

- 2 image control and user interface processors and hi-fidelity projectors. 

• Particle Imaging Velocimetry system

- Vid-PIV data analysis package 

- High-resolution color digital analog camera 

- Class IV laser-particle illumination system

- Particle seeding system

• Low volume oscillating biomass separator 

Supporting Personnel 

The project is supported by skilled personnel in material science, fracture mechanics, 

agricultural systems design, plant science, microbiology, and high speed imaging. These 

personnel include Richard Hess, Reed Hoskinson, Pete Pryfogle, Eric Steffler, Richard 

Williamson, Jeff Lacey, and Mike Daniels of the INL, and Mark Bryden, Doug McCorkle, 

Dave Muth, and Sunil Suram of Iowa State University. re

es 

Publications 

K.L. Kenney, C.T. Wright, and K.M. Bryden. 2005. Virtual Engineering Approach to

Developing Selective Harvest Technologies. The 2005 ASAE Annual International Meeting

held in Tampa, FL., July 17-20, 2005. 

K.D. Hamman, R.L. Williamson, E.D. Steffler, C.T. Wright, J.R. Hess, and P.A. Pryfogle. 

2003. Structural Analysis of Wheat Stems. The 26th Symposium of Biotechnology for Fuels 

and Chemicals held in Chattanooga, TN. May 9-12, 2004.

J.R. Hess, K.L. Kenney, and C.T. Wright. 2003. Image-Based Flow Characterization and 

Measurement for Biomass Separation Technologies (poster). The 25th Symposium of

Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals held in Brekenridge, CO. May 4-7, 2003.