Title:
Demonstration of Handling and Logistics of Torrefied Pellets
Author(s):
Ranta, T., Föhr, J., Soininen, H.
Document(s):
Paper
Slide presentation
Abstract:
In this study torrefaction was demonstrated at a Torrec Ltd. pilot plant located in Mikkeli, eastern Finland. The pilot plant with a nominal capacity of 10,000 tonnes/year began operation in August 2014. The torrefaction solution is based on a vertical reactor, where biomass material flows by gravity without drives or actuators and torrefaction happens by steam inertization and accurate process control. Steam is supplied from the local biomass CHP plant next to the pilot plant. The product quality of torrefied pellets will be analysed by testing alternative local woody biomass sources, such as forest chips made from coniferous trees (spruce, pine) and broadleaf (birch), as well as by-products such as bark. Energy density, moisture and ash content, and alkalis will be verified. Additionally, the durability of pellets and grindability will be verified by means of laboratory tests. The potential Finnish customers are CHP plants aiming to replace coal with pellets. In 2013 coal use was 31.2 TWh, where condensing was 15.3 TWh, CHP 14.2 TWh, and separate heat 1.6 TWh in Finland. If half of the current coal use in CHP were replaced by biocoal, then Finnish potential bio-coal markets would be 7 TWh or 1.2 million tonnes of pellets/year. Aided by the results of this demonstration study and modelling of logistics it is possible to evaluate the competitiveness of torrefied pellets based on the local circumstances.
Keywords:
cost analysis, demonstration, logistics, torrefaction, wood chips
Topic:
Biomass Conversion Technologies for Liquid and Gaseous Fuels, Chemicals and Materials
Subtopic:
Production of advanced solid biofuels
Event:
23rd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
3DO.9.5
Pages:
1048 - 1053
ISBN:
978-88-89407-516
Paper DOI:
10.5071/23rdEUBCE2015-3DO.9.5
Price:
FREE
