Standard liquid fuel for industrial boilers from used wood

Christian Lindfors, Anja Oasmaa, Alexi Välimäki, Taina Ohra-Aho, Henna Punkkinen, Jutta Laine-Ylijoki

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientific

    Abstract

    The purpose of the research was to validate if the fast pyrolysis bio-oil (FPBO) from used wood would meet the specifications set by the standard EN 16900-2017 for industrial boilers. Commercial used wood Class C was used for fast pyrolysis. According to physical characterization studies, the dominant material groups were (virgin) wood (i.e. no visible coatings) (58 wt%) and chemically treated wood (41 wt%). The share of plastics was 0.7 wt%. The contents of heavy metals were not significant. No bromine was observed and the content of chlorine was ≤0.05 wt%. Prior pyrolysis studies, the sample was grinded, dried, and sieved. Plastic fraction was separated to over 0.98 mm sieve fraction. The main fraction having particle size of 0.55 − 0.98 mm containing wood was tested in one experiment and a mixture of plastic fraction (over 0.98 mm) and wood fraction (0.55 − 0.98 mm) was tested in two other experiments. The fines below 0.55 mm were removed; Pb was found only in this finest fraction. The pyrolysis experiments were carried out in a bench scale bubbling fluidized bed reactor (1 kg/h). Organic yields were lower (42 − 47 wt%) than with sawdust (62 wt%) but at the same level than those with stored forest residues (46 wt%). The side products char and gases are combusted for process energy in commercial integrated process. The liquid product had a high water content, which resulted in a spontaneous phase separation. The phases were mixed together, and a part of water was gently removed to obtain a single phase product with a water content of 21 wt%. The liquid product was a homogenous fluid, which in most cases met the demands of the EN standard and hence can be used in industrial boilers. All product met the specifications for REACH.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, EUBCE 2018
    PublisherETA-Florence Renewable Energies
    Pages1030-1034
    Number of pages5
    ISBN (Electronic)978-88-89407-18-9
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2018
    MoE publication typeB3 Non-refereed article in conference proceedings
    Event26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, EUBCE 2018
    - Bella center, Copenhagen, Denmark
    Duration: 14 May 201817 May 2018

    Conference

    Conference26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, EUBCE 2018
    Abbreviated titleEUBCE 2018
    Country/TerritoryDenmark
    CityCopenhagen
    Period14/05/1817/05/18

    Keywords

    • Pyrolysis
    • Pyrolysis oil
    • Used wood

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