TY - JOUR
T1 - Moving torrefaction towards market introduction
T2 - Technical improvements and economic-environmental assessment along the overall torrefaction supply chain through the SECTOR project
AU - Thrän, Daniela
AU - Witt, Janet
AU - Schaubach, Kay
AU - Kiel, Jaap
AU - Carbo, Michiel
AU - Maier, Jörg
AU - Ndibe, Collins
AU - Koppejan, Jaap
AU - Alakangas, Eija
AU - Majer, Stefan
AU - Schipfer, Fabian
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - The large-scale implementation of bioenergy demands solid
biofuels which can be transported, stored and used
efficiently. Torrefaction as a form of pyrolysis converts
biomass into biofuels with according improved properties
such as energy density, grindability and hydrophobicity.
Several initiatives advanced this development. The first
pilot-scale and demonstration plants displayed the
maturity and potential of the technology.
The European research project SECTOR intended to shorten
the time-to-market. Within the project 158 Mg of biomass
were torrefied through different technologies (rotary
drum, toroidal reactor, moving bed). Their production led
to process optimization of combined
torrefaction-densification steps for various feedstocks
through analysing changes in structure and composition.
The torrefied pellets and briquettes were subjected to
logistic tests (handling and storage) as well as to tests
in small- and large-scale end-uses. This led to further
improvement of the torrefied product meeting
logistics/end-use requirements, e.g. durability,
grindability, hydrophobicity, biodegradation and energy
density. Durability exceeds now 95%.
With these test results also international standards of
advanced solid biofuels were initiated (ISO standards) as
a prerequisite for global trade of torrefied material.
Accompanying economic and environmental assessment
identified a broad range of scenarios in which torrefied
biomass perform better in these areas than traditional
solid biofuels (e.g. white pellets), depending e.g. on
feedstock, plant size, transport distances, integration
of torrefaction in existing industries and end use. The
implementation of industrial plants is the next step for
the technology development. Different end user markets
within and outside Europe can open opportunities here.
AB - The large-scale implementation of bioenergy demands solid
biofuels which can be transported, stored and used
efficiently. Torrefaction as a form of pyrolysis converts
biomass into biofuels with according improved properties
such as energy density, grindability and hydrophobicity.
Several initiatives advanced this development. The first
pilot-scale and demonstration plants displayed the
maturity and potential of the technology.
The European research project SECTOR intended to shorten
the time-to-market. Within the project 158 Mg of biomass
were torrefied through different technologies (rotary
drum, toroidal reactor, moving bed). Their production led
to process optimization of combined
torrefaction-densification steps for various feedstocks
through analysing changes in structure and composition.
The torrefied pellets and briquettes were subjected to
logistic tests (handling and storage) as well as to tests
in small- and large-scale end-uses. This led to further
improvement of the torrefied product meeting
logistics/end-use requirements, e.g. durability,
grindability, hydrophobicity, biodegradation and energy
density. Durability exceeds now 95%.
With these test results also international standards of
advanced solid biofuels were initiated (ISO standards) as
a prerequisite for global trade of torrefied material.
Accompanying economic and environmental assessment
identified a broad range of scenarios in which torrefied
biomass perform better in these areas than traditional
solid biofuels (e.g. white pellets), depending e.g. on
feedstock, plant size, transport distances, integration
of torrefaction in existing industries and end use. The
implementation of industrial plants is the next step for
the technology development. Different end user markets
within and outside Europe can open opportunities here.
KW - torrefaction
KW - solid biofuel
KW - sustainability
KW - standardization
KW - densification
KW - market implementation
U2 - 10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.03.004
DO - 10.1016/j.biombioe.2016.03.004
M3 - Article
VL - 89
SP - 184
EP - 200
JO - Biomass and Bioenergy
JF - Biomass and Bioenergy
SN - 0961-9534
ER -