System and method for conditioning and packaging freshly chopped biomass feedstocks for long term storage

A method of conditioning freshly chopped biomass and packaging the freshly chopped biomass to prevent the freshly chopped biomass from spoiling during long term storage, the method comprising:

• feeding the freshly chopped biomass into a baler having a compression chamber and a reciprocal plunger;
• densifying the freshly chopped biomass by engaging the freshly chopped biomass in the baler with the reciprocating plunger and compressing the freshly chopped biomass against an end plate forming a part of the compression chamber;
• expelling air or liquid from the freshly chopped biomass and out the compression chamber in the course of compressing the freshly chopped biomass;
• continuing to compress the freshly chopped biomass in the compression chamber until the bulk density of the compressed freshly chopped biomass equals or exceeds 15 lb/ft3;
• wherein compressing the freshly chopped biomass in the compression chamber forms a bale of freshly chopped biomass;
• discharging the bale of freshly chopped biomass from the baler into a generally airtight bag or container;
• closing the bag or container such that anaerobic conditions are maintained in the bag or container;
• and
• reducing or minimizing rebound of the freshly chopped biomass in the course of compressing the freshly chopped biomass by holding the plunger in an extended position against the freshly chopped biomass for a time period exceeding 30 seconds during one or more of the strokes of the plunger.

A method of conditioning freshly chopped biomass and packaging the freshly chopped biomass to prevent the freshly chopped biomass from spoiling during long term storage, the method comprising:

• stationing a bulkhead at an initial position in a compression chamber;
• feeding a first batch of freshly chopped biomass into the compression chamber and compressing the freshly chopped biomass against the bulkhead with a reciprocating plunger;
• continuing to compress the first batch of freshly chopped biomass against the bulkhead until the bulk density of the first batch of freshly chopped biomass exceeds a threshold value at which time the compressed biomass forms a partial bale;
• after forming the first batch of freshly chopped biomass into a partial bale, moving the bulkhead from the initial position down the compression chamber to a second position downstream from the initial position;
• stationing the bulkhead in the second position;
• feeding a second batch of freshly chopped biomass into the compression chamber;
• compressing the second batch of freshly chopped biomass against the partial bale and in the process moving the partial bale and the second batch of freshly chopped biomass towards the bulkhead stationed in the second position;
• continuing to compress the second batch of freshly chopped biomass and the partial bale against the bulkhead in the second position until the combined partial bale and the compressed second batch of freshly chopped biomass exceeds a threshold bulk density;
• moving the bulkhead from the second position to a downstream third position;
• feeding a third batch of freshly chopped biomass into the compression chamber and compressing the third batch of biomass against the second batch of compressed biomass and causing the second batch of compressed biomass and the partial bale to move down the compression chamber where the partial bale engages the bulkhead in the third position;
• wherein the second and third batches of freshly chopped biomass and the partial bale form a bale;
• and
• discharging the bale of freshly chopped biomass from the compression chamber into an airtight container.