Overview of international developments in torrefaction

Transcription

1 Overview of international developments in torrefaction Central European Biomass Conference 2011 Chris Kleinschmidt KEMA Nederland B.V. 28 January, 2011 Experience you can trust.

2 Content Typical product properties Added value of torrefaction Market potential of torrefaction Torrefaction technology Torrefaction value chain Torrefaction initiatives Technical challenges of torrefaction Business challenges of torrefaction KEMA torrefaction services

3 Indicative fuel properties Woodchips Wood pellets Torrefaction pellets Charcoal Coal Moisture content (% wt) Calorific value (MJ/kg) Volatiles (% db) Fixed carbon (% db) Bulk density (kg/l) 0.2 0, ~ Volumetric energy density (GJ/m 3 ) Dust Average Limited Limited High Limited Hydroscopic properties Hydrophilic Hydrophilic hydrophobic hydrophobic hydrophobic Biological degradation Yes Yes No No No Milling requirements Special Special Classic Classic Classic Handling properties Special Easy Easy Easy Easy Product Consistency Limited High High High High Transport cost High Average Low Van Krevelen diagram of different fuels Average Low

4 The added value of torrefaction Higher co-firing percentages Torrefaction alone will NOT: Torrefied product can be directly milled and co-fired with the coals. Product is dry (< 5%) and has a calorific value of MJ/kg. The product is brittle and easily breaks down in small particles Cost Significantly savingsreduce at sulfur, chlorine and alkali concentrations of the the biomass power plant A smaller mass stream and when pelletized also a smaller volume stream of biomass is needed for the same amount of energy production, which reduces the dimensions of biomass As a result, co-firing percentages are still limited by the impact on boiler integrity (corrosion, slagging and fouling) equipment. Further, less biomass equipment (silo s, dedicated feeding system, biomass mills and burners) is needed. Cost savings long distance transport The volumetric energy density of torrefaction pellets is 16 GJ/m 3 compared to 10 GJ/m 3 for wood pellets. This implies significant cost savings

5 Market potential of torrefied biomass Market segment Conversion process Conversion technology State-of-the-art biofuel Pre-treatment requirements Advantages of torrefaction Market potential Large-scale Power production Stand-alone CFB boilers Wood chips Moderate Limited, relatively Small The co-firing market is very attractive (volume, prices, subsidies) Combustion expensive (>20 MWe) Industrial heating Co-firing (Co)gasification Combustion Coal-fired boilers Entrained flow gasifiers Blast furnaces Wood pellets Wood pellets none High Very high, due to particle size Moderate Process with the coal, higher cofiring rates Size reduction, fluidization,c/h/o ratio, very dry Handling, C/H/O ratio, energy content Large Market of torrefaction is driven by renewable energy targets and cost savings Torrefied product can be applied in different market segments The demand in Europe alone, will be millions of tonnes Industrial and residential heating markets have a large potential Limited Residential/ District heating Combustion Stoves Wood pellets High, decentralized Transport savings Large

6 Torrefaction technologies Most reactor technologies applied for torrefaction are proven in other applications (combustion, drying, gasification ect.) Oscillating belt reactor Every reactor technology has specific advantages and Moving bed reactor disadvantages (KEMA Torrefaction Benchmark) MHF Torbed reactor Overall efficiency also depends on heat integration design, in which different options are possible (direct or indirectly heated) Process control (residence time, temperature, particle size feed, Rotary drum reactor mixing) is the key for good performance Mirco wave reactor TurboDryer Screw conveyor reactor

7 Torrefaction value chain at the biomass source or at the power plant? Co-firing route 1a & 1b Biomass Local transport Standalone torrefaction plant A: Local transport of chips B: Long distance transport of pellets Coal-fired power plant Co-firing route 2 Biomass Local transport Integrated torrefaction plant Coal-fired power plant Torrefaction plant Storage chipping drying milling Screening torrefaction pelletization Storage Combustion

8 Product samples of torrefaction Most experience built up with (clean) wood torrefaction Large differences observed in product properties and quality Uncertainties about large scale processing of product (handling, Torrefied wheat storage, milling, explosion risk, dust and odor emissions, combustion straw pellets Wood chips Wood wood pellets torrefaction pellets properties) Pelletization possible, but in most cases additives are needed (dependent on torrefaction temperature) Milled product is highly reactive and should be kept inert Wood chips Torrefied wood pellets Milled torrefied wood

9 First batch of CoolCoal (Stramproy Green Energy) Amer power plant of Essent, 29 July, 2010

10 European torrefaction initiatives Developer Technology T. Supplier Location(s) Production capacity (t/a) Starting operation Topell Energy B.V. (NL) Torbed Torftech Inc (UK) Duiven (NL) 60,000 Q Stramproy Green Investment B.V. (NL) / 4Energy Invest (BE) Torr-Coal B.V. (NL) Lantec Group (SP) Vattenfall/ Nuon (NL) FoxCoal B.V. (NL) BioLake B.V. (NL) Oscillating belt reactor Rotary drum Moving bed Screw conveyor Stramproy Group (NL) Torr-Coal technology B.V. (NL) Thermya (FR) FoxCoal B.V. (NL) Steenwijk (NL), Amel (BE) Dilsen-Stokkem (BE) San Sebastian (SP) Winschoten (NL) 45,000 38,000 35,000 20,000 35,000 5,000 10,000 Q Three commercial demonstration plants starting up in Q / Q (35,000 60,000 kton/year) Topell Energy has built the largest plant Stramproy Green Investments has integrated the torrefaction plant Moving bed ECN (NL) Delfzijl (?) 20,000 (?) with a bio-chp plant and was the first to deliver product Q Torr-Coal has developed a process in which also waste streams like SRF can be processed Screw conveyor Eastern Europe 2012 Q BioEndev (SE) / ETPC (SE) Rotary drum Ö-vik (SE) 25,000 30, / 2012 EBES AG (AT) Rotary drum Andritz (AT) Frohnleiten (Austria) 10, Atmosclear SA (CH) Rotary drum Airless Systems (UK) Rezekne (Latvia), New Zealand, US 50,000 Q * This is not the full list and figures are based on statements of developers

11 Construction of Topell s 60 kton/year torrefaction plant Duiven, The Netherlands Summer 2010

12 North American torrefaction initiatives Developer Agri-Tech Producers LLC (US/SC) Bepex Torrefaction Systems compared International Inc. (US) to the European competitors and the first commercial (US/MN) New Earth Renewable Energy Fuels, Inc (US/WA) Rotawave, Ltd. (UK) Technology Belt reactor Fixed bed/ Pyrovac (?) Mircowave Supplier Kusters Zima Corporation (US/SC) Pyrovac Group (CA/QU) Group s Vikoma (UK) Location(s) Terrace, British Columbia (CA) Production capacity (t/a) 110,000 Starting operation Torrefaction development is driven by utilities which have to deal with Integro Earth Fuels, Wyssmont TurboDryer Roxboro, NC 50, renewable LLC (US/NC) obligation schemes in(us/nc) Canada and in specific states of the US, but also the wood pellets industry is interested in torrefaction Most of these initiatives are in a less developed stage (pilot plant) demonstration plant still has to be built However, torrefaction development is driven by public and private funding Zilkha Biomass ofenergy R&D programs (e.g. DOE, EPRI, Crockett, Xcel Energy, Texas CEATI, WPAC), 40,000 (US) (US) in which universities play a important role Q Q * This is not the full list and figures are based on statements of developers

13 The major technical challenges of torrefaction Feedstock flexibility Currently torrefaction technologies are mainly processing wood chips for a narrow bandwidth of particle size. Agricultural residues are still a challenge, because it ignites easily, has a low bulk density and has long fibers Process validation Although some experience has been gained with pilot plant testing, real operational data will reveal the performance of the torrefaction process. Important is the trade-off between energy yield, product quality and production cost. Product validation Although the pilot plant test results were promising, the product needs to be validated by large co-firing trials. Are torrefaction suppliers able to commercially provide a product which meets the specifications of an utility? And is the product really sustainable?

14 The major business challenges of torrefaction Financing Most torrefaction developers are small companies with a limited financial base. Convincing investors to finance the necessary R&D and up-scaling efforts is a real challenge Market maturity A dominant torrefaction concept will emerge out of a large variety of technologies and initiatives. But have torrefaction suppliers enough development power to optimize and scaleup their torrefaction concept? A product standardization is needed to make the market more transparent and reliable Availability of product The urgency and quantity of demand is significantly higher than the supply. Torrefaction suppliers are facing the challenge to scale-up their first commercial demonstration plants in a rapid pace

15 KEMA as partner in torrefaction business Torrefaction opportunities KEMA services Torrefaction strategy: buy Support business strategy KEMA is involved with torrefaction from the early beginning technology or product Torrefaction technology benchmark Since Investment then, decisions, KEMAbusiness has supported (inter)national Evaluation clientsof with initiatives technical, and projects case economical and strategic advice Techno-economic feasibility study Selection of torrefaction Evaluation of business case KEMA technology hasthat hands-on best fits clients experience by working as a owner s engineer Contractor survey, Coordination of Cooperation business KEMA serves as an important link between torrefaction tendering phase developers, Selection of torrefaction supplier Pilot plant testing, Factory governmental agencies and utilities Selection of EPC contractor acceptance test KEMA Processis validation ready to make the next steps in torrefaction Small scale development combustion tests Product validation Coordination of co-firing trials Biomass certification Calculate sustainability of biovalue Product standardization chains

16 Thanks for your attention M.Sc. Chris Kleinschmidt KEMA Nederland BV.