Development of the Pyroformer & Pyrofab. Tom Anderson European Bioenergy Research Institute

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1 Development of the Pyroformer & Pyrofab Tom Anderson European Bioenergy Research Institute

2 1. A brief introduction to EBRI 2. An overview of the Pyroformer and Pyrofabs 3. Questions

3 A brief introduction to EBRI

4 European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) was founded in 2009 at Aston University Located in Birmingham, in the West Midlands region of the UK Birmingham is the home of some of history s greatest inventors and industrialists! Birmingham

5 Birmingham has seen the birth of many great inventions: Steam Engine X-Ray Machine Whistle Heavy Metal(?) At, EBRI we hope it will also be the home for many new bioenergy inventions in the years to come!

6 Bioenergy is critically important to Birmingham and the West Midlands: Bioenergy Off-shore Wind Only land-locked UK region 80% rural area Significant biomass resources Strong engineering and manufacturing sectors Wave / Marine Power Tidal Power

7 European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) is an industry-facing centre for research and technology development We specialise in advanced biomass conversion technologies - for both bioenergy & biobased materials We take emerging technologies and innovations from the lab to industry application We work with business no students; no lectures; no teaching! Research Technology Pilot Projects Industry Application

8 EBRI s Research Capabilities: Intermediate / Fast Pyrolysis Bioenergy Markets Gasification Biochar Analysis Anaerobic Digestion Catalysis Feedstock Analysis Biofuel Analysis Green Hydrogen Algae Cultivation

9 The Pyroformer & Pyrofabs

10 The Pyroformer : An overview The Pyroformer is an innovative energy-from-waste technology developed by scientists at the European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI). Designed to be a flexible and scalable technology that can complement other processes and accommodate diverse feedstocks. Enables multiple waste streams to be converted into a range of products The technology has evolved through a rigorous R&D programme and is now at the cusp of commercialisation.

11 The Pyroformer : An intermediate pyrolysis process The Pyroformer is an Advanced Thermal Conversion Technology (ACT) Intermediate Pyrolysis (c.450⁰c) to thermo-chemically transform solid feedstocks into: Liquid Biofuels (pyrolysis oil) Gaseous Fuels (pyrolysis gas) Solids (Biochar) Aqueous Phase (water) Products can be burned in a CHP engine to generate low carbon electricity and heat

12 How the Pyroformer works:

13 Evolution of the Pyroformer : Lab-scale testing EBRI has world-leading expertise in pyrolysis and gasification with a track-record dating back to the 1970s. EBRI specialises in fast and intermediate pyrolysis of biomass 1 st pilot-scale Pyroformer unit built at EBRI laboratories in kg/hour unit used to test various feedstocks and optimise reactor conditions

14 Evolution of the Pyroformer : Scale-up and testing through BioenNW BioenNW enabled the Pyroformer to be scaled-up for testing at commercial scale 100kg/hour unit deployed for testing at Harper Adams University College in Testing undertaken on range of feedstocks: Digestate Miscanthus Agricultural wastes Industry wastes Slurry Improve and test ancillary equipment (valves, hoppers, feeder system, etc.)

15 Evolution of the Pyroformer : Mobile units and field trials Energy Harvest project saw the Pyroformer scaled-down to 20kg/hour mobile unit for use in developing economies and agricultural markets 20kg/hour mobile unit deployed for testing in Punjab, India Unit used to process harvest residues and produce cheap, green fuel Rice straw Wheat straw Robust, hardened technology needed for field trails in challenging environment Biochar tested for improving crop yields

16 Evolution of the Pyroformer : New EBRI Testing Unit New EBRI facility constructed to accelerate Aston s research on bioenergy 20kg/hour test unit in specialist lab for industry feedstock testing Used to test feedstocks and optimise production of fuels Custom reports prepared for industry customers Vetting stage before feedstock can be tested or larger plant

17 Evolution of the Pyroformer : EBRI Demonstrator Plant 100kg/hour unit built to power EBRI building Can be coupled to Gasifier for advanced applications Unit produces fuels for 350kW CHP engine Provides heat, electricity and cooling for EBRI building One of the largest test facilities in the world.

18 Evolution of the Pyroformer : Pyrofabs BioenNW project is now developing two Pyrofab units Small-scale (20kg/hr) test cells that will be used by BioenNW partners to test various local feedstocks Provide real-time performance data, monitoring and analysis Showcase the technology to investors, government and customers across a variety of markets

19 Each Pyrofab system consists of two parts that are provided in ISO shipping containers so that systems may be easily transported. One cell hosts a 20kg/hr Pyroformer test system, complete with hopper: feeder system; reactor; quench and flare The second cell hosts a mini lab with control systems, monitoring and results analysis facility

20 The two cells will be delivered as a package to provide a Pyrofab test system for BioenNW partners:

21 Next Steps: Routes to market for Pyroformer The Pyroformer has attracted significant interest from a range of investors, entrepreneurs and project developers who foresee market opportunities for the technology Aston University has created a spin-out company to manage this interest: Optimus Energy Optimus Energy will lead the commercialisation of the Pyroformer Optimus Energy is exploring markets in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Asia Leading manufacturing partners have been secured for the production of commercial units A number of business models and investment options can be considered for suitable partners

22 Questions?

23 THANK YOU ~ DANKE SCHÖN Contact Details: BioenNW Joanna Fletcher J.Fletcher@aston.ac.uk EBRI: Tom Anderson t.anderson1@aston.ac.uk