Presentation: 2025 ND EPSCoR Annual conference
October 21, 2025, NDSU Memorial Union, Fargo, North Dakota
Lowering the Carbon Intensity of the Grain Drying Process via Pyrolysis
Chinaecherem
Okwuonu
Doctoral Student
University of North Dakota
Co-authors: Junior Nasah, CEMRI Executive Director, University of North Dakota., Johannes Van der Watt, Research Asst. Professor, University of North Dakota., Olusegun Tomomewo, Assistant Professor, University of North Dakota
Session
Poster number: 89
Ballroom
Grain drying is an essential pre-processing step that enables the preservation of the quality and value of grains. The conventional grain drying process has a high carbon intensity as it involves the direct combustion of propane as fuel. One solution to this dilemma is the integration of a fuel pyrolysis step into the grain drying process to sequester a portion of the carbon contained in the fuel. With this approach, propane is pyrolyzed into solid carbon and hydrogen-rich gas; the solid carbon can be collected and sold, while the hydrogen-rich gas is combusted and the heat utilized in the grain drying process. While this process can reduce the emissions from conventional grain drying by up to 30%, long term net negative carbon emissions are achievable with the use of renewable propane. This study conducts a techno-economic assessment to determine the economic viability of the propane pyrolysis approach by estimating retrofit capital and operating expenses, and exploring potential revenues from carbon sales. Sensitivity analyses will be used to probe the effects of propane price, propane conversion, pyrolysis heat input, carbon yield, and value on the feasibility of the technology. Broader impacts potentially include low-cost emission reduction options for remote agricultural communities and the development of a pathway to new carbon-materials markets.