thermochemical biomass based refinery processes. technological status & perspectives presented...

Thermochemical Biomass Based Refinery Processes

Thermochemical Biomass Based Refinery Processes

Technological status & perspectives

Presented at Biorefinica 2006

(11-12 October 2006, Osnabrück, Germany)

Ir. Robin Zwart

Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN)

ECN Biomass, Coal & Environmental research

(3) ECN–BKM, Robin Zwart Biorefinica 2006, 11-12 October 2006, Osnabrück www.ecn.nl

Content

• Introduction on ECN

• Definition

• World wide status:

1st Generation (combined heat and power)

2nd Generation (combined heat, power, fuels and chemicals)

3rd Generation (optimized multi-product systems)

• Ongoing activities

• Conclusions


Energy research Centre of the Netherlands

• Independent energy research institute

• Founded in 1955

• 650 staff

• Annual turnover:80 million EURO

• Activities:- Biomass, Coal & Environmental Research- Solar- Wind- Hydrogen & Clean Fossil Fuels- Energy Efficiency in the Industry- Energy in the Built Environment- Policy Studies

In the dunes of North Holland


ECN in a glanceMission

• ECN is the largest, independent, market oriented, and innovative Dutch energy research institute.

• ECN focuses on the knowledge and information the government needs to develop and evaluate policy and achieve policy objectieves in the field of energy, the environment and technological innovation.

• ECN partners industry in the development and implementation od product, processes and technologies important to the transition to sustainable energy management.

• ECN closely works together with Dutch and foreign universities and research institutes and performs a bridging function with implementation by carrying out technological research.

ECN develops high-quality knowledge and technology for the transition to a sustainable energy supply


The general one…

Definition of “Thermochemical refinery”

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)


Combustion for generation of heat, power… or even both

1st Generation “Thermochemical refinery”

Ralph E.H. Sims: The brilliance of bioenergy – In business and in practice (2002)


Examples of combustion based generation of heat and power


Teaford C

o. (US

)

Essen

t Cu

ijck (Nl)

HV

C A

lkmaar (N

l)

Kara (N

l)

Integrated Biomass Utilisation System (IBUS), Skærbækværket (Dk)


Advanced generation of heat and power


Ralph E.H. Sims: The brilliance of bioenergy – In business and in practice (2002)


AM

ER

(Nl)

Lah

ti (Fi)

AR

BE

(Uk)

Examples of advanced generation of heat and power


stopped

stopped

co-firing co-firingco-firing

Värn

amo (S

e)B

TG

(My)

working

Güssing (At)


Advanced generation of heat, power, fuels and chemicals

2nd Generation “Thermochemical refinery”

Gasification

Biosyngas

Combined Cycle

minerals

H2O

Transportation fuel synthesis Fischer-Tropsch diesel MeOH / DME Ethanol / mixed alcohols Hydrogen

Electricity & Heat Biological

Processes

Pyrolysis ?


Clean hydrogen-rich synthesis gas (CHRISGAS)2nd generation example

Funded by the EC 6th Framework Programme and the Swedish Energy Agency. It runs for 5 years beginning 1st September 2004

(http://www.chrisgas.com)


Sustainable energy system for transport (RENEW)2nd generation example

(http://www.renew-fuel.com)

A pan-European project, supported under the European Commission’s 6th Framework Programme

Ch

oren (D

e) Gü

ssing (A

t) Mör rom

(se ) Aben

goa (Es)


BIOCOUP is an Integrated Project coordinated by VTT (Fi), involving 17 partners from 7 countries. It started on 1st May 2006

Co-processing of upgraded bio-liquids in standard refinery units (BIOCOUP)2nd generation example

([email protected])


Optimization of thermochemical refinery…

3rd Generation “Thermochemical refinery”

Torrefaction

Gasification

“OLGA” Tar removal unit

Cryogenic distillation

CO2 removal

Sulphur removal

Aqueous scrubber

Biosyngas

Combined Cycle

minerals

CO2 NH4+

H2O

H2O

Base chemicals acetylene ethylene

Transportation fuel synthesis Fischer-Tropsch diesel MeOH / DME ethanol / mixed alcohols hydrogen

Electricity & Heat

Fine chemicals formic acid acidic acid propionic acid

Fertiliser (NH4)2SO4

Impregnating regent heavy tars

Solvents benzene toluene xylenes

Fine chemicals light tars

Product Gas H2 CO CO2 H2O CH4 C2H2 & C2H4 BTX light tars heavy tars NH3 (HCN) H2S (COS)

Claus process elementary S

Gaseous fuel CH4 / LNG

Chemical industry, sequestering, oil industry (EOR), greenhouses CO2

Irrigation / tap water H2O

Biological Processes


Biosyngas


Bio-CHP as base case…


Gasification

Combined Cycle

minerals

H2O

Electricity & Heat Biological

Processes


Products from bio-CHP…


Gasification


Aqueous scrubber

Combined Cycle

minerals

NH4+

H2O

H2O

CO2

Electricity & Heat









Upstream products from torrefaction…


Torrefaction

Gasification


Aqueous scrubber

Combined Cycle

minerals

NH4+

H2O

H2O

CO2

Electricity & Heat










Downstream products from gas conditioning…


Torrefaction

Gasification


CO2 removal

Sulphur removal

Aqueous scrubber

Combined Cycle

minerals

CO2 NH4+

H2O

H2O

CO2

Electricity & Heat












Backend chemicals, syngas and fuels…


Torrefaction

Gasification



CO2 removal

Sulphur removal

Aqueous scrubber

Biosyngas

Combined Cycle

minerals

CO2 NH4+

H2O

H2O



Electricity & Heat













Science fiction?


Great plains synfuels plant began operating in 1984 and today produces > 54 billion standard cubic feet of natural gas

(http://www.dakotagas.com)


Optimization of thermochemical refinery…


Torrefaction

Gasification



CO2 removal

Sulphur removal

Aqueous scrubber

Biosyngas

Combined Cycle

minerals

CO2 NH4+

H2O

H2O



Electricity & Heat













Biosyngas


Staged biomass degasification (BIOCASCADE)3rd generation example

Torrefaction Pyrolysis

Gasification

Biomass 180 - 290°C 290 - 600°C > 600°C BioSyngas

catalyst ? catalyst ? catalyst ? Crude Crude Crude

chemicals

fuels

power

Product separation and upgrading heat

Base/platform chemicals

• Sequential thermal decomposition of hemicellulose>cellulose>lignin

• Condensable products: acids, phenolics, furans,….. (+ syngas): yields thus far low

• Optimization of individual product yield via process conditions

• Catalyst development

• Product separation and upgrading


Staged biomass degasification (BIOCASCADE)Decomposition at different temperatures


Staged biomass degasification (BIOCASCADE)Decomposition at different temperatures

BIOSYNERGY is an Integrated Project coordinated by ECN (Nl), involving 17 partners from 10 countries. It starts end 2006


Conclusions

• Products considered should not only include power and heat, but chemicals, fuels, materials (fibres, starch, wood), food and feed as well

• A biorefinery should at least be self-fulfilling with regards to heat and preferably also with regards to electricity

• In order to meet biomass-related policy goals more advanced thermochemical biomass based refinery processes will have to be developed.

Development of advanced 3rd generation (thermochemical) biorefineries

Develop 2nd and 3rd generation biorefineries

Consider heat and power as internals or residual streams, and focus on “high-value” products

Focus on the development of 3rd generation biorefineries for the future,while implementing 2nd generation biorefineries for short-term goals


For more information,please contact:

Ir. Robin Zwart Publications can be found on:phone +31 224 56 4574 www.ecn.nl/en/bkmfax +31 224 56 8487 www.biorefinery.nl/publicationsemail [email protected]

Visit also: Biorefinery.nl – The Dutch Network on Biorefinery: www.biorefinery.nl

(with the latest information on the upcoming IEA Task on biorefineries)

Thank you for your attention

(including this presentation)

thermochemical biomass based refinery processes. technological status & perspectives presented...

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