minutes sc01 meeting - eurobioref

Version: VF Date: 09/08/12 Security: PU /16

Project acronym: EuroBioRef

Project Title: EUROpean multilevel integrated BIOREFinery design for sustainable biomass

processing

Instrument: Large Scale Collaborative Project

Thematic Priority: FP7-ENERGY.2009.3.3.1

Grant Agreement: 241718

Start Date of Project: 01/03/10

Duration: 48 Months

SP10 – Exploitation, Dissemination, Communication, Standardisation and training activities

WP10.3 – Workshop

Deliverable report

Due Date of Deliverable: M29 - 31/07/2012 Actual Submission Date: M30 - 09/08/2012

Deliverable Identification

Deliverable Number: D10.2.6

Deliverable Title: Intermediate workshop processing on field trial, prospects for biorefinery and advanced catalytic thermochemical conversion process

Responsible Beneficiary: EUBIA Contributing Beneficiaries: EUBIA, CIRCC, ALMA and CNRS-UCCS To be Submitted to the EC: Yes

History

Version Author Modification Date V1 Andrea SALIMBENI First draft 03/08/2012

Approval

Name Organization Date Visa

Deliverable Responsible Andrea SALIMBENI EUBIA 03/08/2012 OK

Work Package Leader Franck DUMEIGNIL CNRS-UCCS 08/08/2012 OK

Sub-Project Leader Michele ARESTA CIRCC 08/08/2012 OK

Coordinator Franck DUMEIGNIL CNRS-UCCS 08/08/2012 OK

Dissemination level

PU Public X

PP Restricted to other programme participants (including the Commission Services)*

RE Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission Services)*

CO Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the Commission Services)

Proprietary rights statement This document contains information, which is proprietary to the EuroBioRef consortium. Neither this document, nor the information contained herein, shall be used,

duplicated or communicated by any means to any third party, in whole or in parts, except prior written consent of the EuroBioRef consortium.


Content

CONTENT.......................................................................................................................................................... 2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ..................................................................................................................................... 3

DESCRIPTION OF THE DELIVERABLE OBJECTIVE AND CONTENT ............................................................................................ 3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART ................................................................................................................ 3 DEVIATION FROM OBJECTIVES AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ................................................................................................. 4 INNOVATION BROUGHT AND TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS .................................................................................................. 4 ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS .......................................................................................................................................... 5 ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION .......................................................................................................................................... 5 THE FUTURE OF BIOREFINERIES IN EUROPE- BARRIERS TO THE SUCCESSFUL COMMERCIALISATION ............................................. 5 IMPACT OF THE RESULTS ............................................................................................................................................ 7 RELATED IPR ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 PUBLISHABLE INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................................... 9 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................................................... 10

ANNEX I – LIST OF PARTICIPANTS ................................................................................................................... 11

ANNEX II – PICTURES ...................................................................................................................................... 15

PIC.1 - THE CONFERENCE ROOM AT MI.CO, MILAN, ITALY ............................................................................................ 15 PIC.2 - KLAUSS NEUMANN DURING THE SECOND PRESENTATION (BORREGAARD) ................................................................ 15 PIC.3 – MS MYRSINI CHRISTOU (CRES) .................................................................................................................... 16 PIC.4 MR KLAUS NEUMANN (BORREGAARD) .............................................................................................................. 16


Executive summary

Description of the deliverable objective and content

The objective of the EuroBioRef Workshop is to promote the EuroBioRef project among partners, private and Universities, showing the results achieved after two years of collaboration. The workshop was held at the 20

th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition, which took place in Milan, Italy

between June 18 and 22, 2012. After a general introduction to the EuroBioRef project’s objectives from Mr Kyriakos Panopoulos of CERTH, Ms Myrsini Christou of CRES presented EuroBioRef’s results on Field Trial, including a comprehensive overview of the energy crops tested in the project. Following, Mr Klauss Neumann from Borregaard evidenced the experience on Pre-treatment Pilot Plants, outlining Borregaard’s range of activities. Finally, Mr Kyriakos Panopoulos from CERTH exposed the research on Upgrading Biomass, along with a resume on biorefinery plants’ operation and activities. In addition, a film-documentary was shown in order to testify the project’s results by the means of footage and interviews from the involved partners. For a more specific and detailed information, a poster showcase was set up in the conference room. The film can be downloaded at: https://www.myndsphere.com/gm/folder-1.11.148368 This deliverable will summarize the presentations carried out during the workshop, with the aim of highlighting the EuroBioRef progresses and results achieved during two years of project.

Brief description of the state of the art

The EuroBioRef project (European Multilevel Integrated Biorefinery Design for Sustainable Biomass Processing; www.eurobioref.org) a 4 years program coordinated by CNRS, France, was launched on March 1

st, 2010. It is supported by a 23 M€ grant from the European Union 7

th Framework Program

(FP7). EuroBioRef deals with the entire process of transformation of biomass, from non-edible crops production to final commercial products. It involves 30 partners (industry, SMEs, academics) from 14 different countries in a highly collaborative network, including crop production, biomass pre-treatment, fermentation and enzymatic processes, catalytic processes, thermochemical processes, assessed by a life cycle analysis and an economic evaluation of the value chain. EuroBioRef will bridge the gap between agriculture and chemical industry by integrating the whole biomass chain in a Multi-feedstock (non-edible), Multi-process (chemical, biochemical, thermochemical), Multi-products (aviation fuels and chemicals) commercially viable and adaptable approach for a sustainable bio-economy in Europe.

The project objectives can be summarized as follow:

Produce a large diversity of sustainable biomass;

Produce high energy aviation fuels;

Produce multiple products;

Improve cost-efficiency by 30 %;

Reduce by 30 % the energy needed;

Reduce time-to-market by 30 %;

Produce zero waste and rationalize the use of raw materials.

https://www.myndsphere.com/gm/folder-1.11.148368

http://www.eurobioref.org/


Below, a graph summarizing the EuroBioRef concept.

Deviation from objectives and corrective actions

Not applicable.

Innovation brought and technological progress

During the general introduction, Mr Panopoulos outlined some of the EuroBioRef results, which include:

● Setting up of field crop trials in Poland, Greece and Madagascar (further detailed by CRES); ● Successful testing of three different kinds of lignocellulosic materials (miscanthus, giant reed

and switchgrass) in a new pretreatment process (further detailed by Borregaard); ● Upgrading of the solid co-products issued from primary transformation of biomass was also

evaluated, for example, by gasification, in specifically designed/constructed units (further detailed by CERTH);

● LCA (carbon footprint + socio-environmental and economic impact assessments): Specific tools being developed; harmonisation efforts with major sister projects in the EU;

● Strong power of dissemination and education, e.g., first EuroBioRef Summer School on the 18-24

th September 2011, Italy (see http://eurobioref.org). A textbook will be published in July

2012.


Analysis of the results

In total there were 53 participants from several countries (list attached in Annex II). The workshop comprised of three parts. Below the agenda:

Session Scope

14:00- 14:30 Session 1

Introduction to Workshop & EuroBioRef Project

EuroBioRef Film

Showcase of EuroBioRef Posters

14:30:17:00 Session 2

Presentation of CRES, CERTH & BORREGAARD Work in the EuroBioRef Project

EuroBioRef Results on Field Trials - Myrsini Christou, CRES

EuroBioRef Experience on Pre-treatment Pilot Plants - Klaus Neumann, Borregaard

EuroBioRef Research on Upgrading Biomass - Kyriakos Panopoulos CERTH

17:15-18:00 Session 3 Discussions

Roundtable discussion

The future of biorefineries in Europe- Barriers to the successful commercialisation

Presentation 1: Ms Myrsini Christou - CRES During the first presentation Ms Christou listed the oil crops tested by CRES in the process development. The range includes:

● Castor seed (Ricinus communis L.); ● Crambe (Crambe abyssinica); ● Cuphea (Cuphea spp.); ● Lunaria (Lunaria biennis); ● Lesquerella (Lesquerella fendleri); ● Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius).

All the crops presented a variable level of productivity, with solid advantages and constrains often related to the specificity of the crops (ideal climate, harvest techniques) and the research and developmental stage of the cultivations. Beside oil crops, lignocellulosic crops were tested. In details:

● Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus, L); ● Giant reed (Arundo donax, L); ● Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus); ● Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum, L); ● Willow (Salix sp, L).


Those perennial grasses are considered ideal crops for bioenergy production for the following reason:

Higher biomass yields compared to annual bioenergy crops;

Better water and nitrogen use efficiencies;

Positive environmental impact compared to annual crops in terms of CO2 and energy balance;

Cultivation in marginal lands avoiding the competition with areas used for food production;

Due to their long life time (15-20 years) they have positive effect to the soil erosion problems. Presentation 2: Klauss Neumann - BORREGAARD In the second presentation, Mr Neumann showed the business model of Borregaard, a global leader in bio based chemicals and partner of EuroBioRef project. The range of Borregaard’s products includes special fibers, lignin based products, fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, foodstuffs (vanilla flavours) and bioenergy (2G Bioethanol). The company is based on a solid organization, which embrace the following key-points:

Innovation Involving the whole organisation Top management focus Innovation Management Teams

Dual strategy Innovate the way we do things New value chains

R&D Centre with approx 70 employees in Norway

Multiple advanced biorefinery and pharmaceutical pilot assets Borregaard partnership in the EuroBioRef project entailed the testing of new feedstock, such as switchgrass, miscanthus and willow through the BALI technology, a process for the production of tailor made lignins with a low carbon footprint. The method incorporates a scaled pre-treatment system, an enzymatic hydrolysis and the construction of PDU. Below, a slide took from Mr Neumann’s presentation which considers the CO2 savings of the BALI technology.

CO2 saving (%) compared to fossil fuel

Bagasse, Wood, Straw:

Actual values = calculated for actual process according to methodology in RED

Waste wood, farmed wood, wheat straw:

Typical values = estimate of emission reduction for a biofuel production pathway

Default values = derived from a typical value by the application of pre-determined factors (to be used in

place of actual values when not available)

AES: acidic process, C6 to ethanol, C5 to

SCP

NES: neutral process, C6 to ethanol, C5 to

SCP

NE: neutral process, C6 and C5 to ethanol

RED: Renewable Energy Directive

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Bagasse Wood Straw Waste wood Farmed wood Wheat straw

AES (actual)

NES (actual)

NE (actual)

RED (typical)

RED (default)

BALI™ process RED

Actual values for BALI™

process are >60% and

correspond well with

typical/default values in RED.


Presentation 3: Kyriakos Panopoulos - CERTH In the final presentation Mr Panopoulos for CERTH outlined the objective and the results of SP6 part within the EuroBioRef project, regarding the advanced catalytic thermochemical conversion process. The targets include:

- Gassification & Gas cleaning

Assess the gasification processes of biomasses that will be available from the pre-treatment processes i.e. a) woody materials, b) lignocellulosics, c) spent cakes from oil crops, d) plants originating from Africa;

Tests under fluidized gasification conditions and examination of ash related problems deriving from inorganic had to be investigated;

Establish the ability to perform long duration tests (approx 72 hours);

Model more liquid biomass gasification;

Assess the potential uses of safe disposal residues (ashes) from gasification processes;

Achieve dry gas cleaning to reduce liquid effluents via two processes being developed: 1) Activated carbon gas cleaning 2) TPOX/CPOX unit;

Assess the existing state of the art to be coupled with novel techniques.

- H2O2 synthesis

Regarding WP6.2; the main objective is to test the different impurities in the hydrogen supplied from the BL gasification for the production of H2O2

- Upgrading of Biosyngas to MeSH qnd Higher Alcohols

Systematic catalyst synthesis;

Catalytic testing and physicochemical characterization;

Performance to be equal or better compared to existing state of the art.

- Carbonization - ACs

Batch carbonization / activation of biomass;

Identify potential recipes for processing these biomasses that could be used for up-scaling;

Produce ACs to serve gas-cleaning purposes.

The presentations can be found at: https://www.myndsphere.com/gm/folder-1.11.157845 https://www.myndsphere.com/gm/folder-1.11.158119

Impact of the results

In total, 53 participants attended the EuroBioref Workshop. A large majority of the audience included Universities and researchers, while the industries operating in the sector were adequately represented, as well as authorities and service providers.




List of participants for further reference

1 Hendriw Waeceman Bio Base Europe

2 Giuseppe Bonura CNR -ITAE Messina

3 Francesco Spina University of Messina

4 Hyewon Hwang Seoul National University

5 Jack Saddler UrbanGreenTechnology

6 Hans Hansen Danish Technological Institute

7 Naksitte Coovattanachai National Science Technology & Innovation. Policy

8 Kees Kwant NL Agency

9 Nathalie Devriendt VITO

10 Tord Fjällström EUBIA

11 Angelis Lappas CERTH

12 Iacovos Vasalos CERTH / CPERI

13 Gerardo Ambrosecchia EUBIA

14 David Habeych University of Twente

15 Wim Brilman University of Twente

16 Michele Albanese Univesity Milano-Bicocca

17 Cristian Torri University of Bologna

18 Alexopoulou Esi CRES – Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving

19 Ana Fernando UNL

20 Thiang Hong NG- Brunel University London

21 Efthymia Ioanna Koytsoumpa CERTH

22 Maurizio Cocchi ETA

23 Klaus Lenz Syncom

24 Myrsini Christou CRES

25 Maria Ugarova ENEL TRADE


26 Shinyoung OH Seoul National University

27 Tirachat Foocharoen National PowerSupply, Ltd

28 Ria Bollen Queensland University Technology

29 Ed Hogan NRC-National Research Centre of Canada

30 Muñoz Robinson Desert Bioenergy SA

31 Azocar Laura Desert Bioenergy SA

32 Jonathan Mielenz GRNL USA

33 Friedemann Albrecht TUM – Technical University Munich

34 Fabian Schipfer Technical University Vienna

35 Gustavo Ciudad Universidad de la Frontera and Desert Bioenergy

36 Teresa Schneider University Hohenheim

37 Scott Turn University of Hawaii

38 Leonid Chumachenko Fokug

39 Victor Verdelho A4F SA

40 Luciano N Batista IN METRO

41 Valeriu Cosarciuc Moldagrotehnica

42 Thomas Douglas BC Bioenergy Network

43 Pacio Diaz Imperial College London

44 Klaus Neumann Borregaard

45 Bryan Jenkins University of California, Daves

46 Luciana Angelini University of Pisa

47 Christos Christodoulou CERTH

48 Sandy Ferguson BC Bioenergy Network

49 Peter A Jensen DTU

50 Rajesh S Kempegowda NTNU- Norvegian University of Science and Technology

51 David Ballenger NTNU-Norvegian University of Science and Technology

52 Nakhon Worasuwannarak King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand

53 Cristiano Varrone ENEA

Related IPR

At the moment of writing, the BALI system developed by Borregaard within the EuroBioRef project has a pending patent status regarding the scaled pre-treatment system and the enzymatic hydrolysis.

Publishable information

All the activities within this WP can be published on the website or presented in relevant events.


Conclusion

The workshop was successfully held at the 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition in

Milan, Italy, on June 20th, 2012 with 53 participants. The academic prominence in attendance is

directly related to the research-nature of the project and its attraction towards researchers and PhDs. The main conclusions/recommendations from the workshop were:

- For lignocellulosic crops - especially willow - machinery for planting and harvest is developed on commercial scale;

- Further development and optimization of lignocellulosic crops machinery will be promoted by

increased demand for the biomass;

- There is a need for international exchange of information and experiences;

- Optimizing storage of lignocellulosic biomass needs further attention;

- Most oil crops can be sowed and cultivated with traditional machinery;

- The oil crops considered in EuroBioRef can also be harvested with traditional combined harvesters;

- Biochemicals are sustainable and environmentally friendly substitutes to petrochemicals in

daily uses, saving large CO2 emissions;

- Biomass can be a business opportunity and the biorefinery process demonstrates that it is possible to create value-addition products from low cost raw materials (ex. BALI system for the production of tailor made lignins);

- The gasification process is proceeding smoothly, ash related problems have been identified

and long duration tests have been achieved (70 hours);

- Catalyst with improved selectivity and effective for the production of MeSH and heavier

alcohols have been prepared;

- Several activated carbon samples have been created in a very promising form.


ANNEX I – List of participants


ANNEX II – Pictures

Pic.1 - The Conference Room at Mi.Co, Milan, Italy

Pic.2 - Klauss Neumann during the second presentation (Borregaard)


Pic.3 – Ms Myrsini Christou (CRES)

Pic.4 Mr Klaus Neumann (Borregaard)

minutes sc01 meeting - eurobioref

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