Bio-oil and biocrude for biofuel production
A number of researchers and companies are developing innovative processes (pyrolysis and thermochemical conversion) to turn a wide range of biomass (forestry residues, crop residues, waste paper and organic waste) into stable, concentrated bio-oil (biocrude) that is compatible with existing refinery technology and can be converted into biofuels.
For example, in the HTU® (hydrothermal upgrading) process, originally developed by Shell, biomass is treated with water at high temperature and pressure (300-350°C & 120-180 bar) to produce bio-crude. This can be separated by flashing or extraction to heavy crude (suitable for co-combustion in coal power stations) and light crude, which can be upgraded by hydrodeoxygentaion (HDO) to biofuels (Source: Biofuel BV presentation).
In Canada, Ensyn is using Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP)™ technology to generate high yeilds of pyrolysis oil (typically 65-75wt% pyrolysis oil from dried lignocellulosic biomass). Ensyn's commercial process is currently used for production of chemicals and food flavourings (100 tonnes of wood per day). In September 2008, Ensyn announced it would form a joint venture with UOP to use the technology to produce heating oil, marine fuels and drop-in transport fuels from straw, corn stover, forestry residues, etc (1000-15000 tonnes per day).
EU-funded Research relevant to Biocrude/Bio-oil
BIOCOUP - Co-processing of upgraded bio-liquids in standard refinery units (FP6 - 518312)
BIOCAT -
Catalyst Development For Catalytic Biomass Flash Pyrolysis Producing Promissing
Liquid Bio-Fuels
(FP5 – ENK6 - 00510)
Further links and reports on combustion, pyrolysis and gasification of biomass are provided by the ThermalNet project (funded under Altener, IEE). The final report of ThermalNet - Thermal Biomass Conversion - was published in November 2009.
Recent Research and Demonstration developments in biocrude
In the US, Sustainable Power Corp (SSTP), uses the "Rivera Process" (a process similar to gas pyrolysis based on a proprietary catalyst) to produce liquid biofuels trademarked under the Vertroleum brand name. The process, originally developed by US Sustainable Energy (USSE), can use a range of biomass including algae, and industrial, food and agricultural wastes.
SSTP has produced a 10 percent biojet fuel blend that has undergone successful tests with AmSpec LLC and a major airline.
in July 2008, SSTP entered into a strategic alliance with Pemco, Norway to create SSTP Europe. It has also formed a strategic alliance with L.Sole’, S.A., Spain, where L.Sole’ which will provide up to $2 billion in financing to fund expansion of biofuel facilities in Baytown, US. The facility aims to produce up to 3 million gallons daily of jet fuel (bio-kerosene), a biocrude oil, a high octane biogasoline and OD-66. L. Sole is also supporting the establishment of SSTP Central America and SSTP Europe.
Also in Europe, Xynergo AS, Norway aims to build a bio-oil crude, Xyn-oil, plant in Follum, Norway that will be in operation by 2011 and to have a full scale synthetic diesel, Xyn-diesel, plant in operation by 2014. The full-scale Xyn-diesel plant will provide 14% of the total Norwegian demand for diesel for road transport. The Xyn-oil-production will cover 10% of the Norwegian demand for heating oil and also develop competence and optimise feedstock options for the Xyn-diesel-production.
In 2008, Norske Skog/Xynergo and CHOREN Industries entered into an agreement for collaboration in the evaluation of second generation biofuel production in Norway.
Xynergo synthetic diesel is made from non-food feed stocks (woody biomass). Synthetic diesel can substitute or blend with fossil diesel from 0-100 %. There are no additional infrastructure requirements and no adaptation needed to utilize the fuel in existing diesel combustion engines and power-trains.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst recently granted exclusive global rights to Anellotech for its catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) technology for producing biogasoline and other biohydrocarbon fuels from waste biomass.
In the Netherlands, BTG-Bioliquids BV has optimised its fast pyrolysis technology originally based on the rotating cone reactor (RCR). Biomass particles at room temperature and hot sand particles are introduced near the bottom of the cone, where the solids are mixed and transported upwards by the rotating action of the cone. In the current process 70 wt.% bio-oil and 30 wt.% char and gas are produced as primary products [Source: BTG].
In the UK, the Pyrolysis Challenge (one strand of the Carbon Trusts's Advanced Bioenergy Accelerator programme), is providing financial support to 3 consortia working on production of pyrolysis products for
1. Pre-treatment of feedstock, gas phase fluid-bed pyrolysis unit, catalytic esterification and partial hydrogenation, blending into EN590 diesel
2. Pilot plants for demonstration of commercial processes (catalysis and separation) for upgrading pyrolysis oils for integration into refineries
3. Low-temperature, microwave-activated pyrolysis process at the laboratory scale
Pyrolysis Challenge partners include:
Consortium 1: Axion Consulting, Biffa, Conversion & Resource Evaluation, Biomass Engineering, Oxford Catalysts, Greenergy International, Catal, Carbolea Research Group, Aquafuels, Enviros, University of Limerick (Ireland), Lund University (Sweden), SEKAB (Sweden) and DeSmet Ballestra, (Italy).
Consortium 2: Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), Johnson Matthey, Sonhoe Energy Holdings, North East Biofuels, Graphite Resources, Tees Energy, Wilton Engineering Services, Wellman International, Imperial College, University of Teesside, Newcastle University, Aston University.
Consortium 3: York Green Chemistry Centre, University of Leeds, Rotawave, Brocklesby Double-Green, Drax Power, UK Coal (Harworth Estates), Northern Foods and Renewable Energy Growers, and Conoco Phillips (Immingham).