Agropellets: Challenging fuel for the future

The intelligent Energy Programme is financing a European project called MixBioPells. The purpose of the work is to enhance the markets of alternative and mixed pellets. VTT with several partners and companies in Europe are participating in the project. The following companies from Finland are involved: Biobotnia Oy, Ariterm Oy, HT-Engineering Oy, Jalasjärven Lämpö Oy and Vapo Oy. There is a lack of wood-based raw materials for pellet production, or it is expensive. In many European countries more straw and grass material than wood is available for the raw material for pellet production. In this context mixed pellets mean pellets that are produced from non-wood and wood materials. Currently, the most commonly used raw materials include miscanthus, straw, reed canary grass and peat. Canada is also considering the use of switch grass and alfalfa as agricultural raw materials for fuel and feed. The combustion of mixed pellets is difficult due to the ash content, its melting and slagging tendencies, and emissions.