What is Bioenergy? William Robinson B9 Solutions Limited
Contents Introduction Defining Bioenergy Biomass Fuels Energy Conversion Technologies Conclusion
Introduction William Robinson B9 employee for nearly seven years Lead Consultant Core projects are bioenergy Anaerobic digestion Landfill gas Biomass Company branches involved in other areas of renewables Onshore/Offshore wind Solar PV Tidal
What is Bioenergy? Bioenergy is energy derived from biomass and includes many biological materials 'Biomass' shall mean the biodegradable fraction of products, waste and residues from agriculture (including vegetal and animal substances), forestry and related industries, as well as the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal waste. EU Directive 2001/77/EC (RES-E) - promotion of electricity produced from renewable energy sources Utilisation of solar energy that has been bound up in biomass during the process of photosynthesis Renewable/sustainable as the fuel can be regrown
What is Bioenergy? Sunlight is converted into stored chemical energy i.e. glucose Utilise this chemical energy in biomass to generate other types of energy such as electricity and heat
Biomass Fuels
Energy Conversion Technology Energy Conversion Technology Steam Electricity Heat Energy Hot Air Sunlight Photosynthesis Chemical Energy Biomass Kinetic Energy Hot Water Electricity Mechanical Motion
Energy Conversion Technology Biomass combustion (woody materials) Biofuel combustion (biodiesel, bioethanol) Landfill Gas (methane) Anaerobic digestion Biogas (methane) Biomethane Utilisation of fuels in direct heating, combined heat and power (CHP), transportation.
Biomass Combustion
Biomass Combustion Wood Chips Wood pellets manufactured from dried sawdust European standards for wood pellet and wood chip grades Torrifaction involves heating the biomass to 220-300 o C Main difference is energy content Wood Pellets Torrefied Biomass / Biocoal
Fuel Comparison Table Property Woodchip Wood Pellet Steam Exploded Pellet Torrefied Briquette Coal Moisture (%) 30% 8% 3% 3% 5-10% Net Calorific Value (GJ/tonne) 12.5 17.5 18.5 21.5 27 Bulk Density (kg/m3) 250 650 700 800 850 Energy Density (MJ/m3) 3,100 11,000 13,000 17,000 23,000 Hydroscopic Nature Wets Wets Water resistant Hydrophobic Hydrophobic Storage Behaviour -Spontaneous -Some mould, but -Resistant to mould -Stable, but Stable combustion generally good -outdoor storage untested in real -Dry matter loss -Must be stored capability untested world environment -Mould under cover -Can be stored outdoors Sulphur Content (%wt DB) <<1% <<1% <<1% <<1% <1% Ash Content (%wt) <3% <3% <3% <3% 3-10%
Thermal Treatments Key difference is the amount of oxygen supplied to the thermal reactor Pyrolysis absence of oxygen Gasification limited supply of oxygen Therefore, complete combustion does not take place, combustible gases (CO & H 2 ) and tars/oils are produced. Combustion involves the oxidation of the material in excess of oxygen to produce CO 2, Water & Ash
Thermal Treatments Biomass Full Oxygen Limited Oxygen No Air Combustion Gasification Pyrolysis Heat, Flue Gas and Ash Syn Gas & Ash and Tar Syn Gas, Oil and Char
Biofuels Fuels derived from biomass crops which are suitable for use in vehicle engines or heating systems Biodiesel Produced from pure plant oil, recovered vegetable oil or tallow Mainly rapeseed oil Transesterification and methanol Blended with mineral diesel up to 5% Bioethanol Produced from sugar beet and wheat Hydrolysis, fermentation and distillation Blended with petrol up to 5%
Landfill Gas Organic material within the landfill is broken down by bacteria Bacteria excrete gas containing methane (landfill gas) Wells are drilled and pipes inserted into the landfill to capture and extract the landfill gas Gas used to fuel a CHP
Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Landfill Gas B9 Gas Utilisation Sites Culmore LFS 0.635MW Craigahulliar LFS 0.8MW Craigmore LFS 0.8MW Ballymacvea LFS 0.8MW Green Road LFS 0.8MW Drumanakelly LFS 0.635MW Ballydonagh LFS 0.5MW Derryclure LFS 0.8MW Kyletalesha LFS - 0.8MW North Kerry LFS 0.3MW Operational Sites In Construction
Anaerobic Digestion Methane: CH 4 (60%) Carbon Dioxide: CO 2 (40%)
Anaerobic Digestion Granville Eco-Parks (GECO) based outside Dungannon 75,000 tonnes per year capacity Feedstocks from commercial & industrial sector, and from municipal (includes CAT 2 & 3) Most advanced system in UK, combining Enhanced Anaerobic Digestion Operational from April 2014
Anaerobic Digestion Renewable Electricity & Heat Adjoining Abattoir By-Products Biogas CHP Engine Food Waste & Green Waste Enhanced Anaerobic Digestion Process Digestate organic fertiliser
Anaerobic Digestion
GECO Plant
GECO Plant
Biomethane Energy content in biogas is dictated by the concentration of methane (CH 4 ) Energy content can be improved by removing other contaminants Carbon Dioxide (CO 2 ) Water Hydrogen Sulphides (H 2 S) Particulates Goal is to increase methane concentration from 60% to 97% or above (natural gas) Fuel is termed biomethane
Biomethane Technologies Water Scrubbing, Pressure Swing Adsorption, Chemical Adsorption Increase calorific value and improve fuel quality Compressed to 200 bar Odorised Injected into the gas grid or transported via compressed tanker Biomethane is a good store of energy Can be used as a transport fuel or as a substitute for natural gas
Conclusion Bioenergy is defined by biomass fuel usage Biomass is biodegradable fraction of plants and animals Utilisation of stored chemical energy from solar energy (photosynthesis products) Bioenergy projects convert this stored chemical energy into other forms such as electricity and heat Typical conversion technologies include; Biomass combustion Biofuel combustion Landfill Gas Anaerobic Digestion
Contact Details William Robinson Tel: 028 2826 8273 E-mail: w.robinson@b9solutions.co.uk Web: www.b9energy.co.uk
Biodiesel Catalyst Methanol Catalyst Mixing Purification Methanol Recovery Methyl Ester Recycled Methanol Vegetable Oils Transesterification Crude Biodiesel Neutralising Acid Neutralisation Phase Separation Reneutralisation Methanol Recovery Crude Glycerin
Bioethanol Biomass Handling Enzyme Production Bioethanol Biomass Pre-treatment Cellulose Hydrolysis Glucose Fermentation Ethanol Recovery Pentose Fermentation Lignin Utilisation