Paper details

Title:

Hydrothermal Carbonization: Influence of Plant Capacity, Feedstock Choice and Location on Product Cost

Author(s):

Wirth, B., Eberhardt, G., Lotze-Campen, H., Erlach, B., Rolinski, S., Rothe, P.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Pre­treatment of raw biomass with hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) increases the energy density, facilitates mechanical dewatering and improves properties, such as grindability, for use as a fuel in existing power plants. This paper analyses the effects of HTC plant size, feedstock choice and biomass supply logistics on the HTC product costs. A case study for the German federal state of Brandenburg is presented, where optimal locations for HTC plants are determined with a mathematical programming model based on the warehouse location problem. Straw, wood chips from short rotation forestry and wood chips from forest residues are considered as HTC feedstocks. The results indicate that, under present conditions, the production of HTC biocoal from regionally grown straw and wood in Brandenburg is not profitable in aggregate. Biomass supply is the dominant cost factor. For a location with a high area­wide availability of biomass, economy­of­scale effects regarding investment and operating cost outweigh the slight increase in feedstock cost due to longer transportation distances, making large infrequent HTC plants more attractive than small decentralized plants.

Keywords:

cost analysis, densification, pretreatment, short rotation forestry (SRF), storage, upgrading

Topic:

Processes for Fuels from Biomass

Subtopic:

Torrefaction of biomass

Event:

19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

VP3.2.6

Pages:

2001 - 2010

ISBN-13:

978-88-89407-55-4

ISBN-10:

88-89407-55-7

Paper DOI:

10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP3.2.6

Price:

FREE