Study on the Densification of Biomass Containing Radioactive Substances: Densification Characteristics of Woody Leaves and Branches

Abstract

To decontaminate radioactive substances on agricultural land and in forests, densification experiments using comminution and pelletization on a laboratory were carried out for woody branches and leaves as primal study. Consequently, densification ratios were ranged from 3.5 to 8.6 by comminution and 9.5 to 27 by pelletization. By mixing the woody portion with leaves and branches, the mixed pellet showed sufficient durability as well as reduced radioactive cesium concentration without decreasing the feed rate. A densification test for herbaceous and woody biomass on a larger scale (200 kg/h of feedstock) is underway at Fukushima prefecture, to design the practical plant.