BioMatNet Item: JOULE JOR3-CT97-0197 - Development of advanced fast pyrolysis processes for power and heat

[BioMatNet Database - European Commission]

JOULE JOR3-CT97-0197
Development of advanced fast pyrolysis processes for power and heat

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Electricity : JOULE/THERMIE Programme : Liquid Biofuels and Biogas : Thermochemical Conversion

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	JOR3-CT97-0197
	EC Contribution	1,873,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/06/98
	Duration	36 Months

Development of advanced fast pyrolysis processes for power and heat

Objectives

The primary objective is to design, construct, commission, automate and operate a novel advanced fast pyrolysis process to produce 150 kg/h pyrolysis liquids (bio-oil) of at least 75% wt yield from biomass for testing in an engine and a boiler. About 170 hours operation is foreseen, with production of around 20 t bio-oil, including at least one long-duration run. This activity will be supported with experimental work on a modified 1 kg/h laboratory pyrolyser with similar feedstocks and operating conditions. This will result in a prediction and performance model of the process. The bio-oil will be analysed of the bio-oil and characterised and bio-oil fuel specifications suggested. In addition, a rotating cone pyrolysis system will be automated and operated to also provide bio-oil for testing on an engine and in a boiler. Long duration runs on both a 50 kg/h and 200 kg/h unit are planned.

The bio-oil will be tested in a modified 250 kW_e 700 rpm dual fuel diesel engine with measurement of essential process parameters. At least 500 hours operation at full load is foreseen with at least 1 long duration test run of at least 4 days. The bio-oil will also be tested in a modified 100 kW_th boiler with at least 100 hours operation in short duration runs with measurement of essential process parameters. Techno-economic assessments will establish costs for the two pyrolysis technologies at scales of operation from 1 to 20 t/h. A market assessment will establish the opportunities in Europe and the rest of the world for installation of bio-oil and bioelectricity production systems

Technical Approach

A novel indirectly heated fluid bed fast pyrolysis reactor will be designed and operated with the necessary feeding and product collection. Wood is the preferred feed material for reliability of operation, availability of suitable feed material and comparability of results, although other representative feeds will be tested.

This activity will be supported with:

experimental work on a modified 1 kg/h laboratory pyrolyser to study the main process parameters of temperature and vapour residence time
construction of a prediction and performance model of the process to aid design and optimisation of the pilot plant
analysis of the bio-oil by HPLC and GCMS and characterisation of the bio-oil by standard and specially modified fuel tests which will lead to suggested bio-oil fuel specifications

In addition, a rotating cone pyrolysis system will be automated and operated to also provide bio-oil for testing on an engine and in a boiler.

The bio-oil will be tested in a modified 250 kW_e 700 rpm dual fuel diesel engine, with measurement of conversion efficiency, minimum pilot fuel requirement and emissions. The bio-oil will also be tested in a modified 100 kW_th boiler to identify atomisation requirements, compare flame patterns and profiles and measure emissions.

Techno-economic assessments will establish capital costs for the two pyrolysis technologies for a ready to operate system that covers biomass preparation, pyrolysis, production collection, and conversion to heat or electricity at scales of operation from 1 to 20 t/h. The market assessment will establish the preferred plant sizes and locations in Europe and the rest of the world for installation of bio-oil and bioelectricity production systems.

Expected Results and Exploitation

Design and operation of a 200 kg/h fast pyrolysis pilot plant with indirect heating, with evidence of high performance and reliability, and with sufficient experience to be able to proceed to a demonstration plant
Results from an analogous 1 kg/h laboratory fast pyrolysis plant with performance models
Specifications and procedures for automation of fast pyrolysis systems,
Chemical and physical analyses of bio-oils with suggested bio-oil standards,
A dual fuel diesel engine operated on bio-oil from two pyrolysis processes with performance and emissions data and with sufficient operational experience to be able to offer engines commercially,
An industrial boiler operated on bio-oil from two pyrolysis processes with performance and emissions data and with sufficient experience for system demonstration,
Economic and market assessments of the opportunities for fast pyrolysis for power and/or heat on a global basis with capital costs, bio-oil costs, and bio-electricity costs and identification of potential plants sizes and locations.

Contacts

Coordinator

A V BRIDGWATER / Aston University Bio-Energy Research Group / UNITED KINGDOM

Participant