Handl Czernik Hydrogen from Biomass by Buckley Catalytic ... Newsletters/PyNews 08.pdf · Conference & Meeting Reports 3 Workshop on Stabilisation/ UpgradingofBio-oils By Stefan Czernik,

SEPTEMBER 1999

PyrolysisNetwork.

ISSUE 8

Comments and contributions are most welcome on any aspect of the contents.Please contact your country representative for further details or send material to Claire Humphreys.

PITBCThis conference has had to be movedto 17 to 22 September 2000 but willremain at the same venue in Austria.

Further details are available on page 20.

Analysis andCharacterisation A Round Robin test has been suggested tocompare different test methods and theirresults to give a more precise specificationfor bio-oil and also compare procedures andtechniques in different laboratories.

This was one of the items discussed at the SubjectGroup Workshop, which was held in Montpellier,France on 23rd and 24th April this year. Anja Oasmaaand Dietrich Meier, the convenors of the group, provide thesummary of the outcome from this meeting on page 2 and Stefan Czernik provides a summary of the stabilisation andupgrading subject group workshop on page 3.

PyNe subject group Convenors:Anja Oasmaa and Dietrich Meierat the Analysis andCharacterisation Workshop inMontpellier, France, April 1999.

The vacuum pyrolysisreactor with the oil

recovery system.

HandlFineline Leads and Carbon Pigments made from Pyrolysison page 5

CzernikHydrogen from Biomass byCatalytic Steam Reformingof Fast Pyrolysis Oilon page 6

BuckleyThe importanceof Bio-Energyon page 8

• In CanadaThe PyrocyclingTM

pilot plant representsthe first phase of the industrial Pyrochem-Saquenay project, which will require a total investment of $40 million.See page 12.

• In the UKBorder Biofuels gets permission to build a 20 MWe power station in Carlisle, Cumbria worth £35 million.See page 13.

Vacuum Pyrolysis

• In theNetherlandsBio-oil is plannedto be co-fired in a coal fired power station.See page 13.

NEW DATE

★ ★★

2

Vacuum Pyrolysis 1

Co-ordinatorTony Bridgwater

AdministratorClaire Humphreys

Bio-Energy Research Group,Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET.

UNITED KINGDOM.Tel +44 121 359 3611Fax +44 121 359 6814

Email [email protected]@aston.ac.uk

Website http://www.pyne.co.uk

Hydrogen from Biomass 6

The importance of Bio-Energy 8

Biocarbons Corporation 4

Conference & Meeting Reports 2

Workshop on Stabilisation/Upgrading of Bio-oils

3

Border Biofuels/Ecosun

13

Aquasolv Technique/PyNe Events

10

Re-cycling of Agricultural Materials 11

16

New Member 15

Power generation from Bio-oil 19

IPT – The Institute for Technological Research

14

Energy Prices & Taxes

Diary of Events 21

Book News 22

PyNe Membership 24

PITBC/FurtherComplementary Publications

20

Full Scale Pyrocycling Plant, Quebec 12

Fineline Leads & Carbon Pigments 5

2

Cont

ents Conference & Meeting Reports

Analysis and CharacterisationSubject Group WorkshopMontpellier, France23rd–24th April 1999By Anja Oasmaa, VTT, Finland and Dietrich Meier, IWC, Germany

The first meeting of this PyNe Subject Groupwas held in Montpellier, France in April 1999.The following topics formed the core of theworkshop discussions:

l The most important characteristicsof bio-oils for fuel oil applicationsand chemical production.

l Analytical and test methods thatneed to be developed.

l On-line monitoring and qualitycontrol methods.

l Round Robin analysis.

Important properties of bio-oilsFor fuel oil use, the important properties for the end-users depend on the application.Chemical composition, oxygen-containingfunctionalities and molecular weightdistribution play a major role in theinstability of pyrolysis liquids. The important properties for chemicalproduction include flavour, odour,composition, reactivity and stability.

Method developmentGas chromatographic methods are fullydeveloped and operable. HPLC is one of the best ways for polar and higher molecularweight compounds. However, it needs moredevelopment, especially the columns. Simple test methods for predicting thebehaviour of pyrolysis liquids in fuel oilapplications are needed.

On-line monitoringOn-line monitoring is particularly needed inthe quality control of larger pyrolysis liquidsproduction plants. The key parameters forcontrol are water content and solids content.On-line analyses in toxicological compoundsare also needed. The quantitativerelationship between water content,pyrolytic lignin and low molecular weightamount was discussed. As a rule of thumbthe ratio of water, water-solubles andpyrolytic lignin should be around 25:50:25.Other ratios may result in problems withphase stability.

Round RobinA Round Robin will be organised later in1999 to improve test methods and shareexperiences in analysing and characterisingbio-oils. New feedstocks such as pine,straw and bagasse will be included as wellas hardwood. Instructions for pyrolysisliquid handling and delivery have beenagreed and will be circulated withinstructions and guidelines. Various analyticalmethods from at least ten laboratorieswill be assessed, including fuel oil analyses,stability tests and chemical characterisations.The results will be published withrecommendations for analytical proceduresand preferred methods.

For further information please contact:

Ms Anja OasmaaVTT EnergyNew Energy TechnologiesPO Box 1601EspooFIN-02044 VTTFINLAND

Tel: +358 9 456 5594Fax: +358 9 460 493Email: [email protected]

OR

Dr Dietrich MeierBFH-Institute for Wood ChemistryLeuschnerstrasse 91Hamburg D-21031GERMANY

Tel: +49 40 739 62 517Fax: +49 40 739 62 502Email: [email protected]

Why don’t you visit our website?. . .

http://www.pyne.co.uk

Conf

eren

ce &

Mee

ting

Rep

orts

3

Workshop on Stabilisation/Upgrading of Bio-oilsBy Stefan Czernik, NREL, USA

InstabilityInstability of biomass pyrolysis liquids resultsfrom physicochemical processes and chemicalreactions that occur in those liquids. These processes lead to the formation oflarger molecules, which is not desirable,especially for fuel applications. The nature of

molecular growth in bio-oils is verycomplex and difficult to describequantitatively. However, the overallprogress of the reactions can berelatively easily observed as achange in certain physical propertiesof bio-oils. The most obvious ofthose is viscosity, which forpolymeric solutions is directlyrelated to the size of moleculesexpressed as an average molecularweight. In addition, viscosity is avery important property for fuelapplications that affects pumpingand atomization of bio-oil.

It is generally agreed that theexposure of bio-oil to an extended

contact with air is detrimental for fuelproperties and should be avoided. It isalso well known that even in a neutralatmosphere (sealed containers, nitrogenblanket) viscosity of bio-oils increases withtime of storage. This increase can bemeasured and quantitatively expressed indifferent ways such as an absolute rate ofchange of viscosity (cP/h) a relative rateof change (h-1) or a viscosity index. The viscosity changes accelerate at highertemperatures, which is in agreement with theprinciples of chemical reaction kinetics.However, there are many questions that stillremain unanswered such as:

l What contribution to the viscosityincrease is due to physicochemicalprocesses such as micelle growth andagglomeration compared to thatresulting from chemical reactions ofpolymerization and condensation?

l How will those two types of processescontribute to the global effect of theviscosity change at different temperatures?

l Will the chemical reaction effect be moredominant at a higher temperature?

l Can the changes observed at onetemperature be used to predict thosethat occur at different conditions?

l Can a storage test carried out at a highertemperature for a shorter time provideany useful information on bio-oilstability at lower temperature?

Viscosity IndexConsidering all the above points a viscosityindex (µt-µ0)/µ0 was agreed as a suitablemeasure of bio-oil stability to be reportedat three specified storage conditions:

1. 50°C for one week (168 hours).2. 80°C for 2-6 hours.3. 80°C for 24 hours.

The bio-oil stability measure will be includedin the Round Robin test being organised bythe PyNe Analysis, Characterisation and TestMethods Group. It was recommended to usebio-oils generated at least ten days beforethe test and to report the age of tested oils.

ProcedureBio-oil samples will be placed in sealed containers and stored (‘aged’) at temperatures of 50°C and 80°Cmaintained within ±1°C. The samples will beweighed before and after the storage toverify that volatile material has not beenlost from the stored oils. The ‘aging’ testsshould be repeated if weight losses greaterthan 0.5% are observed. Viscosity of freshand ‘aged’ bio-oil samples will be measuredat two temperatures of 25°C and 40°C using a viscometer type available in aparticipating laboratory.

Round RobinSix values of the viscosity index (three storageconditions, two measurement temperatures)and the viscosimetry method used will bereported to the Round Robin organisers (AnjaOasmaa and Dietrich Meier – see page 2).Measurements of changes in other propertiesof bio-oils during storage such as flash pointand ignitability had been suggested but wereconsidered as less reliable (flash point) ordifficult to conduct (ignitability). Besides,their relation to the changes in molecularstructure of bio-oil is less obvious than thatfor viscosity.

StabilisationIn addition, it was suggested thata relatively simple stabilisationmethod should also be included in the Round Robin. Stabilised oils would besubject to the same ‘aging’ test as ‘crude’oils to evaluate efficiency of the selectedstabilisation method. Possibilities forstabilisation include liquid filtration of the whole bio-oil and solvent addition, but agreement on procedures will need to be established before proceeding with acommon exercise. This will be carried outlater by recommending a stabilisationprocedure and inviting interestedlaboratories to conduct and report on the stability test.


Dr Stefan CzernikNREL1617 Cole BoulevardGoldenColorado80401USA


References1. Diebold, J.P. and Czernik, S., ‘Additives tolower and stabilise the viscosity of pyrolysisoils during storage’, in Energy and Fuels, ACS,1997, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 1081–1091.

2. Oasmaa. A., Leppämäki, E., Koponen, P.,Levander, J. and Tapola, E., ‘Physicalcharacterisation of biomass-based pyrolysisliquids – application of standard fuel oilanalyses’, pp. 11/1-11/3, VTT, Espoo, Finland, 1997.

SummaryThe workshop focused on two majortopics: a quantitative measure ofbio-oil stability and specifications forthe PyNe Round Robin stability test.

Viscosity measurement for Viscosity Index

Feat

ures

4

While not competitive in terms of oil yieldwith respect to fast pyrolysis, an air-blownbubbling fluidized-bed reactor does notrequire indirect heating or heating byre-circulation to maintain reactor temperature.Temperature can be controlled rapidly overa wide range of operating conditions byadjusting the feed/air ratio. Almost allof the oxygen is consumed by combustionat the bottom of the bed. The feed nearthe top ‘sees’ mainly inert gas, and bedtemperature variation is minimal – about15ºC or less.

By operating the reactor above typical fastpyrolysis, oil-maximisation temperatures,a pyrolysis oil is produced that can be usedwhole in making a PF resin. Yield is about25 weight percent, but selectivity is 100%;no product separation is required. Biocarbons Corporation’s pyrolysis oilconsists mainly of single ring aromaticsderived from lignin plus furans and pyransfrom the cellulose and hemicellulose.

A large number of compounds are present;no compound predominates. The averagemolecular weight is 133 Daltons. The averagefunctionality (the number of molecular sitesavailable for crosslinking with formaldehyde)is 2.0 versus 3 for phenol. All compoundsidentified to date with the exceptionof fatty acids from pine feedstock have atleast one functional site for polymerization.About 10 mole percent of the oil consistsof aldehydes, mainly benzaldehydes.

Biocarbons Corporation has had good successin substituting pyrolysis oil for 50 to 60weight percent of the phenol in a typicaladhesive resin formulation (with fillers andextenders) used for southern yellow pine plywood without odour problems and withconventional press times, i.e., throughput.The company believes it can producebiomass oil in commercial quantities at acost of $(US) 0.23/kg from $22 per drytonne feedstock. This translates aftermarkup into a PF resin (solids) cost savingsof 15 to 25%, depending on the amountof substitution for phenol and phenol cost.The potential savings for plywood andstrandboard are $1.40 to $2.40/m3, respectively, which are significant savingsfor commodity products. The pyrolysis oilwould likely be sold as a raw material toadhesive manufacturers.


Mr Andrew HimmelblauPresidentBiocarbons Corporation71 Cummings ParkWoburn, MA 01801USA

Tel: +1 781 935 7779Fax: +1 781 932 3753

BiocarbonsCorporationBy Andrew Himmelblau, Biocarbons Corporation, USA

Biocarbons Corporation is trying to commercialise the use of pyrolysis oil from biomass as a lower cost substitute for phenol in the water-resistant, phenol-formaldehyde (PF) adhesives resins used to makeexterior-grade plywood and oriented strandboard, mainly in North America. The company has patented (U.S. patent 5,034,498) the use of an air-blown, bubbling fluidized bed reactor specifically to make (adhesive)resin products. To make oil samples for adhesive formulation and testing, a pilot plant is currently operated with a 7.6 cm diameter reactor (about 8 kg/hr feed), scaled down from an earlier, larger pilot facility (0.5 metres diameter, 450 kg/hr) that was operated by Energy ResourcesCorporation in the 1970’s.

Overall process of oil production from biomass

Feat

ures

5

ProcessThe main feature of the process is thepyrolysis of water-soluble cellulose-derivatives and lignin-derivatives to carbon. Cellulose ethers such as hydroxy-methylcellulose or lignosulphonatesare dissolved in water to form a highlyviscous solution. Graphite is suspended inthis solution. The complete mixture is thensqueezed through nozzles with high pressureso that threads are produced. The speed

used is greater than 2m/s togive the correct orientationof the graphite particles. The threads are then dried,cut and converted to carbonin special pyrolysis furnaces.

The pyrolysis orcarbonisation takes placeaccording to a temperatureprogramme, which is derivedfrom the decompositionkinetics of the cellulose andlignin combinations. This reaction rate isdetermined by means ofdifferential thermogravimetricanalysis. The rate of heating

is, for example, only 3°C/h. The temperatureis increased up to a maximum of 1000°C.During this process the pyrolysis furnaces areconstantly purged with nitrogen to removethe pyrolytic decomposition products and toprotect the leads from oxidation. The leadsconsist of 99.9% carbon.

By Werner Handl, Staedtler Mars GmbH, Nuernberg, Germany.

IntroductionHigh-performance writing implements such as fineline leads, demand degreesof hardness and bending strengths which cannot be achieved by the usualtechnologies. For example, a bending strength of more than 250N/mm2

is needed for lead diameters of only 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 0.9 mm.Staedtler has been involved in the development and commercialproduction of carbon/graphite composite leads since 1976.

Scanning electron micrographs showing themorphology of lignin based carbon lead

Fineline Leads & Carbon

Pigments made from Pyrolysisof Cellulose and

Lignin Derivatives

Another development of Staedtler is the so-called in-situ pyrolysis. In this processpolysaccharides and lignin derivatesare converted to carbon pigments withspecial characteristics. For some applicationscarbon pigments with extremely low specificsurface areas are required and normal carbonblack cannot meet these requirements.In the in-situ pyrolysis, powderedpolysaccharides such as starch or ligninderivatives are pyrolysed under an inert gasatmosphere in the above mentioned furnacesand the residual carbon is ground in a varietyof grinding aggregates. In this process particlesizes of <1µm with a specific surface area(BET) of less than 10m2/g can be achieved.These pigments are not only absolutelnon-fading; they are also remarkable fortheir particular rheological behaviour.


Mr Werner HandlStaedtler Mars GmbH & CoMoosaecker str. 390427 NuernbergGERMANY

Tel: +49 911 9365386Fax: +49 911 9365823Email: [email protected]

Scanning electron micrographs oftypical low structure carbon pigment

Feat

ures

6

Hydrogen from Biomass by

Catalytic Steam Reforming

of Fast Pyrolysis OilBy Stefan Czernik, NREL, USA

At present, hydrogen is produced almost entirely from fossil fuels such as natural gas, naphtha, and inexpensive coal. Renewable biomass is an attractivealternative to fossil feedstocks because of an essentially zero net CO2 impact.Unfortunately, the hydrogen content in biomass is only 6-6.5%, compared toalmost 25% in natural gas. For this reason, on a cost basis, producing hydrogenby a direct conversion process such as the biomass gasification/water-gasshift cannot economically compete with the well-developed technology forsteam reforming of natural gas. However, an integrated process, in which biomass is partly used to produce more valuable materials or chemicals with only residual fractions utilised for generation of hydrogen, may be aneconomically viable option.

The proposed method1,2 combines two stages:

1. fast pyrolysis of biomass to generate bio-oil,2. catalytic steam reforming of the bio-oil to

hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

This concept has several advantages overthe traditional gasification/water-gasshift technology.

First, bio-oil is much easier to transport thansolid biomass and, therefore, the location of pyrolysis plants could be optimisedconsidering the availability of low-costfeedstock while reforming would be carried out at a site with an existing hydrogen storageand distribution infrastructure.

The second advantage is the potentialproduction and recovery of higher value added co-products from bio-oil that couldsignificantly impact the economics of the entire process. In this concept, the lignin-derived fraction would be separated from bio-oil and used as a phenolsubstitute in phenol-formaldehyde adhesiveswhile the carbohydrate-derived fraction would be catalytically steam reformed to produce hydrogen. Assuming that the phenolic fraction could be sold for $0.44/kg(approximately half of the price of phenol), the estimated cost of hydrogen from thisconceptual process would be $7.7/GJ3, whichis at the low end of the current selling prices.An outline mass balance is shown as Figure 1.

Because biomass fast pyrolysis has almostreached commercial status, our work hasfocused on the catalytic steam reforming ofbio-oil and its fractions. We successfullydemonstrated that hydrogen could be efficientlyproduced by catalytic steam reforming thecarbohydrate-derived bio-oil fraction using acommercial nickel-based catalyst in a fluidisedbed reactor. The equipment is shown in Figure 2. Greater steam excess than that usedfor natural gas reforming was necessary tominimise the formation of char and coke (or to gasify these carbonaceous solids)resulting from thermal decomposition ofcomplex carbohydrate-derived compounds.

Biomass,100

Fast Pyrolysis

Fractionation

FBR CatalyticReforming

ShiftConversion

AqueousFraction

H2 5CO2 40CO 10

H2 6CO2 60

Crude bio-OilWater, 10

Organics, 60

Lignin derivedoligeromic phenolicsOrganic 15

Gases 15Char 15

Water

Steam

Steam

Figure 1. Outline mass balance of process for hydrogen production

Feat

ures

7

References1. D. Wang, S. Czernik, D. Montané,

M. Mann, and E. Chornet,I&EC Research, 36 (1997) 1507.

2. D. Wang, S. Czernik, and E. Chornet,Energy&Fuels, 12 (1998) 19.

3. MK. Mann, P.L. Spath, K. Kadam, In Proceedings of the 1996 U.S.DOE Hydrogen Program Review, Miami,FL, May 1-2, 1996, NREL/CP-430-21968; pp. 249-272.

Figure 3. Hydrogen yield against time

Hydrogen Yield

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

0 100 200 300 400 500

Time, min

Yie

ld,

% s

t.

Figure 4. Flowsheet of bio-oil steam reforming unit

Mass Flow Controller

Nitrogen

ElectricBoiler

Water

Liquid Feed Scale

Liquid Pump

Nitrogen

Mass FlowController

Orifice Flow Meter

Super heater

2" Fluid Bed Reactor

Chiller

Solids Collector

Heat Exchangers

Condensate Collector and Scale

MTI Gas Chromatograph

Coalescing Filter

Mass Flow Meter

Dry Test Meter

78513

At 850ºC the hydrogen yield was 90% of thatpossible for stoichiometric conversion duringeight hours of the catalyst on-stream time. A yield graph is shown in Figure 3. This yieldcould be 5-7% greater if a secondary water-gasshift reactor followed the reformer.

Coke deposits were efficiently removed fromthe catalyst by steam and carbon dioxidegasification, which restored the initial catalytic activity.


Dr Stefan CzernikNREL, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden,Colorado, 80401, USA


Figure 2. Bio-oil steam reforming unit

Feat

ures

8

The importance of Bio-Energy to

Ireland’s future Energy SupplyBy Pearse Buckley, Trinity College, Ireland

At the end of the millennium, Ireland is experiencing a period of considerableeconomic growth. While this is a welcome development, it is important notto lose sight of some of the concomitant dangers. Significant growth in aneconomy is often accompanied by increased levels of energy consumption.In this context a closer examination of the Irish situation highlights anumber of worrying issues. These include a risk of failing to meet theNational commitments on greenhouse gas emissions vis-à-vis the Kyotoaccord and an increasing dependency on imported energy. Against thisbackground, the development of bio-energy technologies is of greatimportance to Ireland in order to make the economic gains sustainable.

Current energy supplyWhile there has been some de-couplingof economic development and energyconsumption, the recent growth in Irisheconomic activity has been accompanied byan expansion in energy consumption. A totalprimary energy requirement (TPER) of 9.7million tonnes of oil equivalent (TOE) in1991 has risen to 12.7 million tonnes of oilequivalent by 1998, an increase of more

than 30% over the period. Figure 1 representsthe breakdown by energy type of the TPERover these last eight years. It can beseen that the contribution made by oilis significant and increasing. Fossil andnon-renewable energy sources account for98% of the supply (if one accepts that peatis a non-renewable energy source – and thereare arguments about this), with renewablesamounting to an insignificant 2% of the total.

Coal, peat and oil, which are majorcontributors to the energy supply, aresignificant producers of carbon dioxide ona per unit of useful energy basis. This aspect

Figure 1. Make-up of Ireland’s total primary energy requirement

0

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

12000

14000

Coal

Oil

Natural Gas

Peat

Renewables

Tonn

es o

f Oil

Equ

ival

ent (

000'

s)

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

Year

of these fuels is of concern in the context ofthe Kyoto accord, which limits Ireland to anoverall increase in greenhouse gas emissionsof 13% above 1990 levels, and this target tobe achieved between 2008 and 2012.

The dependence on non-indigenous sourcesfor energy supply is another characteristicof the situation in Ireland. In figure 2 itcan be seen that there was an improvementin this dependency until the mid 1990s. The installation of an inter-connector gaspipeline to Britain and the approachingexhaustion of domestic natural gas supplieshas resulted in a reversal of the trend since 1995. Imported energy plays adominant role, which continues to grow in significance, and may account for greater than 90% of the total supply inthe near future. In these circumstances therisks posed by political instability in distantparts are considerable and ever present.

Alternative sources of energyAn evaluation of alternative sources of energyin Ireland presents the following possibilities:

l Hydroelectricity

l Tidal energy

l Solar energy

l Wind energy

l Biomass

Of these, wind and biomass could makea significant contribution to the energyneeds of the country. The technologyfor conversion of wind to electricity,for example, is well developed and theapplication is relatively straight forward.There is a down side, however, with manyprojects being opposed on environmentalgrounds, particularly related to visualintrusion. It is worth noting here that thoseareas of Ireland with the most favourablewind regimes for the installation of windfarms are also areas which are importanttourist attractions.

Feat

ures

9

Figure 2. Indigenous/imported contributionto Ireland’s energy supply

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Per

cent

of T

PE

R

Year

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

Indigenous

Imported

Energy from biomass could make a majorcontribution to the energy supply throughthe utilisation of a variety of feedstocks.These range from wastes and residues(including municipal solid waste andagricultural wastes) to purpose grown energy crops such as short rotation forestryand specific types of grasses. The energyproduced from these sources is effectivelyneutral in terms of greenhouse gas emissionsand the production and conversion wouldoccur within the country.

Developments in Biomass for EnergyIn recognition of its potential, a number of initiatives have been taken in Ireland to develop biomass as a source of futureenergy supply. There is a new awareness of the value of waste for example. Forest residues, which heretofore have beenleft on the forest floor following thinningand clear fell, are being looked at anew as a significant resource, which could beconverted to useful energy. More significantly,energy crops are being seen as having verygreat potential, particularly due to the likelyavailability of surplus land resulting fromchanges in the farming sector. Research intothe most productive crop species and thecritical factors influencing their productivityis continuing so that a sustainable andreliable fuel supply can be established.

The conversion of biomass has tended tofocus on gasification with the productionof electricity. The approach has been towardsthe development of small scale (< 0.5 MWe),decentralised power generation units.

This approach is guided somewhat by theneed to involve farmers in alternativeactivities in the exploitation of their lands. The production of power would allow afarmer to add value rather than being aproducer of wood fuel for sale into an energy market where it would command alow return. To date, two pilot plants (100kWe and 200 kWe capacity), converting woodto heat and power have been set up inNorthern Ireland. It is hoped that these will serve as a basis for the development of niche markets for this approach to theexploitation of energy from biomass.

Pyrolysis and the production of a liquid fuelThe production of a liquid fuel from biomassby pyrolysis would be a very significantdevelopment from an Irish viewpoint.

By reference to figure 3, it can be seen that the expansion in the economy has been accompanied by an increase in car ownership. This has been mirrored by a rise in the consumption of fuel in thetransportation sector. The fuel to power thisincreased mobility has to be imported. It isclear that a reliable supply of transportationfuel is an important future consideration.

There is considerable capacity to producebiomass in Ireland, given the climate andthe potential of the land. A study by Teagasc(the agriculture and forestry advisory body),for example, has indicated that more than50% of the island is suitable for growingshort rotation forestry.

Advances in fast pyrolysis are therefore ofgreat significance. The transformation ofbiomass to a liquid fuel by this technologywould achieve the twin goals of providing anenvironmentally more acceptable fuel and, at the same time, developing an indigenoussource of energy for the country. Once fastpyrolysis to produce transportation fuels isdeveloped to a commercial stage it will havea ready application in Ireland.


Mr Paul JohnstonTrinity College DublinDepartment of Civil, Structural &Environmental EngineeringDublin 2IRELAND

Tel: +353 1 608 1372Fax: +353 1 677 3072E-mail: [email protected] 3. Private car ownership and consumption of transportation fuel

#

no. o

f priv

ate

cars

(00

0's)

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0 0

500

10 00

15 00

20 00

25 00

30 00

35 00

40 00

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

Year

private cars (000's)

TFC / oil in transport

Oil

cons

umpt

ion

intr

ansp

orta

tion

(TO

E 0

00's

)

Feat

ures

10

A regular programme of seminars, workshops andmeetings is provided by PyNe. Anyone interestedin attending or contributing to these meetingis most welcome. The programme of meetings ispublished on our Website (http://www.pyne.co.uk)and regularly updated. Details can also be obtainedfrom Claire Humphreys at the address shown on page 2.

Aquasolv Technique®

A hydrothermal separation method for obtaining rawmaterials from biomass

The Aquasolv Technique® is a non-aggressive methodfor processing a variety of plant materials, for examplewood, straw or grass, into a polymeric materialwith widespread applications in manufacturing.Temperatures up to 2400C and pressures up to 45 bar are sufficient to break biomass down intoits component cellulose, hemi-cellulose and lignin.As the process uses only water as the solvent, it isparticularly environmentally friendly. Currently a 10litre batch reactor is in operation with a 100 litresemi-continuous reactor currently being commissioned.This will allow larger batch sizes to be producedsuitable for small scale manufacturing of biomassderived polymer products.


Olaf JedickeFraunhofer Institute for Chemical TechnologyJoseph-von Fraunhofer Strasse 7D76327 Pfinztal (Berghausen)

GERMANY

Tel: +49 721 4640-620 Fax: +49 721 4640-111Website: http://www.fhg.de

By Alistair Brown, Fraunhofer ICT, United Kingdom

Biomass

Hydrothermal Treatment

Eluate Pulp

TanninLignin

Hemicellulose

FurfuralCellulose Glucose

Xylose

SC-Protein

Xylit

ButanolAcetoneEthanol

etc.

EthanolButanol

Citric Acidetc.

Enzymat.Saccharification

Enzymat.Saccharification

FermentationFermentation

Hydration

Hemp Miscanthus Softwood

Flax Alfalfa Straw

Biomass

Aquasolv-Hydrothermal Treatment

Raw material

Fibers Polymer Lignin

Hemicellulose Cellulose

Product spectrum obtainable after hydrothermal treatment of plant biomass

Aquasolv Hydrothermal System

PyNeEvents

New

Dev

elopm

ents

11

ObjectivesThe overall objective of the proposedwork is to recycle agricultural wastes andresidues to produce a high added valueslow release fertiliser for the horticulturaland agricultural industries.

This will be done by pyrolyticliquefaction with nitrogenaddition throughammonoxidation and nutrientblending. The key feature is the total recycling ofagricultural wastes andresidues into a unique andvaluable fertiliser that canbe safely used in a range ofagricultural and horticulturalapplications. This is asustainable method ofrecycling agricultural materialsinto a useful and valuablenon-food, non-fuel product.The product is flexible asa range of nutrients and

additives can be included in the productas required for different applications. The pyrolysis process to be used to liquefythe agro-materials is a well-establishedtechnology. It produces no wastes as allthe by-products are either used in theprocess as energy source, or contained asessential components of the resultant liquid.

Production of slow release nitrogenous fertiliserFertiliser production will be carried out byseveral methods including:

l Reaction of nitrogen containingcompounds with pyrolysis liquid.

l Addition of the nitrogen containing compound to the biomass before pyrolysis.

l Direct reaction of nitrogen containing compounds within the pyrolysis process.

The products from the three routes will betested and compared to determine the mosteffective fertiliser product and hence derivethe most cost-effective process. The additionof other essential nutrients will also be investigated. Solid fertiliser products will be initially produced as a free flowingdark brown powder, but alternative productformulations will be investigated includingliquid, granules and pellets. Product sampleswill be made from different feedstocks,under various reaction conditions and withvarious ammonia-oxidation reagents.

Recycling of AgriculturalMaterials as a Novel SlowRelease FertiliserBy Tony Bridgwater, Bio-Energy Research Group, Aston University, United Kingdom

An EC sponsored Research Contract valued at 1.55 million Euros wasawarded in January 1999 and will run for three years. The contract partnersare: Aston University (UK) – Co-ordinator, IWC (Germany), ADAS (UK), DIAS (Denmark), Levington Agriculture (UK).

Tests of the slow release nitrogenous fertilisersGrowth trials on pot plants will be used totest the fertiliser samples in order to identifythe most suitable product for growth usingvarious criteria including nitrogen releaserate, soil conditioning properties, level ofapplication in the soil media, soil mediasubstitution, release of micro-nutrients and toxicity. The fertiliser product will beextensively characterised. In addition, thefast pyrolysis by-product char can act as afertiliser support media and also release theoriginal inorganic elements present in theagro-industrial waste thereby also recyclingmicro-nutrients. Although the short-termfocus is on the specialised slow release,higher added value fertiliser market, thereare wider opportunities for general fertiliserproduction in the longer term.

Production and testing of larger quantitiesof slow release nitrogenous fertiliser The most promising slow release fertiliserproduct from the evaluatory tests, as above,will be produced in quantities of 20-50 kgfor larger scale field trials on suitableagricultural crops including miscanthus inDenmark and wheat in the UK.

Design, cost and evaluation ofcommercial-scale opportunitiesThe potential for the product will beevaluated for key market opportunities in Europe. Costs will be compared with those for other conventional slow releasenitrogenous fertilisers and potential markets will be assessed.

Expected ResultsThe results will provide an assessment of theshort, medium and long-term performance ofthe fertiliser in terms of release rate, degreeof mineralisation of nitrogen, crop growthand other criteria. The project will providea full technical and economic assessmentof the process, based on specifications,designs and costs for a fully integrateddemonstration/commercial plant.


Professor Tony BridgwaterAston UniversityAston TriangleBirminghamB4 7ETUNITED KINGDOM

Tel: +44 121 3593611 Fax: +44 121 3596814 Email: [email protected]

Miscanthus used as feedstock in the process

The Research Contract team viewing early results

New

Dev

elopm

ents

12

The plant has beendesigned and the projectmanagement done by PyroSystems Inc., an affiliate ofGroupe Pyrovac. In thispyrolysis process, thebiomass is pneumaticallyconveyed to the vacuumfeeding device and thenintroduced into the reactor.The pyrolysis reactor, whichis 13m in length and 2.2min diameter, operates in

a continuous feed mode under vacuum usinga patented feedstock moving bed transportand agitation system. The reactor heat sourceis process gas and natural gas. Molten salts are used as a heat carrier, which enablesefficient heat transfer inside the reactor. The pyrolytic oils are recovered by means oftwo cooling columns, which are connected to a storage tank. The wood charcoal is cooled at the reactor outlet and conveyed to storage. The reactor is equipped with a vacuum pumpto maintain the whole system under a totalpressure of 10-15 kPa. Reactor safety isguaranteed by means of a nitrogen injectionsystem in order to prevent any leakage of airinto the reactor chamber. Vacuum pyrolysisof bark residues with 15% moisture yieldsapproximately 29.5% pyrolytic oils, 29% wood charcoal, 10% gas and 31.5% water.

A Full Scale Pyrocycling™ Pilot Plant

has been built in Jonquière, QuébecBy Christian Roy, Pyrovac International Inc, Canada

Groupe Pyrovac inc. from Canada and Ecosun bv from the Netherlands have built the first PyrocyclingTM

industrial scale plant in Jonquière, Province of Québec, Canada, based on vacuum pyrolysis technology.The plant which has a throughput capacity is 3.5 t/h of air-dry feedstock, has been constructed todemonstrate and further improve the technology and produce sizeable amounts of pyrolysis oils andwood charcoal. It will serve as cornerstone for the start-up of the Pyrochem-Saguenay plant, whichwill transform softwood bark residues into pyrolytic oil and wood charcoal. The pyrolytic oil will beused in the manufacture of phenol formaldehyde resins. The wood charcoal will be sold as a feedstockin the metallurgical and mineral industries.

The PyrocyclingTM Plant

The plant will also enable the demonstration of a new electricity generation system. Groupe Pyrovac and Ecosun (see page 13) are developing the Integrated PyrolysisCombined Cycle system in collaboration with Orenda Aerospace Corporation (see page 19), a Canadian company located in Mississauga, Ontario. Orenda’s GT 2500 gasturbine is the first of its kind in the world tobe fed with a bio-oil feedstock.

The CAN$ 9 million pilot plant was equallyfunded by Groupe Pyrovac and Ecosun incollaboration with Sodexfor, a limitedpartnership company, and SGF-Rexfor, a Québec government-owned holding society. The Pyrocycling™ pilot plant represents thefirst phase of the industrial Pyrochem-Saguenay project, which will require a totalinvestment of $40 million.

For more information please contact:

Professor Christian Roy, PresidentPyrovac International Inc.333, rue Franquet, Sainte-Foy (Québec)G1P 4C7 CANADA

Tel: +1(418) 652-2298Fax: +1(418) 652-2275Email: [email protected]

The oil recovery system

General view of the plant

New

Dev

elopm

ents

13

Carlisle City Council has approved proposals promoted by Border Biofuels fora 20 MWe power station on a site near Carlisle, Cumbria, UK. The schemewill use vacuum pyrolysis (see Pyrocycling feature on page 12) to convertforestry residues and wood residues from primary forestry processingactivities to liquid biofuel and char. This will fuel generation of 20 MWe atCarlisle with additional biofuel being exported to satellite facilities for theproduction of heat and power.

This plant will be the first of its kind in Europe using an integrated processtechnology incorporating, for the first time at a commercial scale, advancedtechnologies for fuel processing, fuel conversion, power generation and thedistribution of biofuel from a central biomass processing facility to fuelsatellite power generation.

The scheme has the benefit of a contract under Tranche 4 of the Non Fossil Fuels Obligation and,when operating, will contribute towards the UK Government’s target of securing 10% of nationalelectricity production from renewables by 2010. The plant will save the production of 250,000tonnes of carbon dioxide into the environment per annum by displacement of more polluting fossilfuel generating capacity.

Growing Ambitions for Cleaner EnergyBorder Biofuels was established in 1992 by aconsortium of rural businessmen with a widerange of management, technical, engineeringand marketing experience. The company wasformed as a response to growing concerns overthe environment and the decline in localeconomic activity in rural areas by encouragingthe installation of commercially viable heatand power generation plants, using locallysourced non food crops and forestry residues as biomass fuel feedstocks.

Border Biofuels are currently developing sevenco-generation projects around the UK that will have a total installed electrical capacity in excess of 70 MWe by 2002. The generationlicences have been secured by Border Biofuelsworking in partnership with a number of major UK and European utilities, financialinstitutions, engineering and timber companiesto develop commercially competitive biomassenergy projects.

These co-generation projects will utilise advancethermal processing combined-cycle technologiesto provide the highest possible levels of energyefficiency in an environmentally benign manner.They will also serve to create an annual demandfor over 800,000 green tonnes of biomass thatwill help sustain the rural economy and serveto create and underpin the development of a UK-wide biomass energy industry for the next millennium.


Mr John M Seed, Managing DirectorBorder Biofuels LimitedTweed Horizons Centre for Sustainable TechnologyMelrose,TD6 0SG ScotlandUNITED KINGDOM

Tel: +44 (0) 1835 823043Fax: +44 (0) 1835 822997Email: [email protected]

Bio-oil is planned to be co-fired in theHemweg power station operated by theelectricity utility UNA in the Netherlands.Pyrovac will provide vacuum pyrolysis units to process up to 123000 t/y wood and wood waste.


Mr BoumanEcosun b.vKeulsekade 1893534 AC UtrechtNetherlands


Border BiofuelsBy John Seed, Border Biofuels Limited, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ecosun

★★

Pro

files

14

The Institute for Technological Research of São Paulo State – IPT (Instituto de Pesquisas Tecnológicas do Estado de São Paulo S. A.) – IPT, a corporation of the Government of the State of São Paulo, is one of theforemost technical research institutes in Latin America.

By Ademar Ushima, IPT, São Paulo State, Brazil

IPT– The Institute for

Technological Research

Figure 2. IPT’s biomass pyrolysis process flow sheet

IPT started in 1899 as a Materials StrengthBureau at the Polytechnical School of SãoPaulo and this year is completing 100 yearsof existence. Nowadays, after administrativetransformations occurred from then on, it is a non profit corporation linked to the Science, Technology and EconomicDevelopment Secretariat of São Paulo State.

The services IPT offers the community todaycan be summarised as follows: specialisedtechnological services, which include tests,analysis and evaluations; elaboration ofcertificates and technical opinions;definition of standards and criteria; research,experimental development and engineeringpilot-projects; manufacture of specialisedequipment and components; disseminationof scientific and technical knowledge.

IPT, a pluridisciplinary institution thatcomprises dozens of research fields, has 72 different laboratories capable to realise more than 3,000 essays, tests and analysis.For this purpose IPT has nearly 1,300employees, 900 of which are researchers and technicians.

IPT is divided into 13 divisions and two ofthem, Mechanics and Metallurgy Divisions,have been working with biomass as analternative fuel since the 60th decade. At the end of the 70th a continuouspyrolysis reactor pilot was built and is shownin Figure 1. A flow sheet of the process isshown in Figure 2.

Figure 1. IPT’s pilot plant for biomass pyrolysis

Figure 3. Babassu nuts

Pro

files

& N

ew M

embe

rs

15

This reactor was planned to process 150 kg/hof wood chips or 450 kg/h of babassu nuts,which are shown in Figure 3. Based on thedata acquired in this unit, a demonstrationplant, with capacity for 1000 kg/h ofbabassu nuts was built at Teresina city(Piaui brazilian state). A picture of theinstallation is shown in Figure 4. It operatedfor two years and now is out of operation.

More recent developments in this areainvolve biomass pyrolysis modelling andsimulation, high harvesting species(‘elephant’ grass) pyrolysis, biomass (sugar cane bagasse, rice husk, corn cob)bubbling fluidized bed gasification andcombustion, etc.

Figure 4. Demonstration plant forbabassu nuts pyrolysis


Ademar H UshimaInstituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas – IPTAgrupamento de Engenharia TermicaDivisao de Engenharia MecanicaCidade UniversitariaSao Paulo – SP – BrazilCEP 005508-901BRAZIL

Tel: +55 11 3767 4520Fax: +55 11 3767 4784Email: [email protected]: http://www.ipt.br

New memberADEMAR HAKUO USHIMA graduated as aChemical Engineer. He has been working atthe Institute of Technological ResearchersS.A. (IPT) since 1978. He has participated inthe development of many projects involvingbiomass – design, construction andoperation of a pilot and demonstration

pyrolysis reactor for babassu nuts andwood chips; utilisation of grass asfuel in a cement kiln; burning ofrice husk and corn-cob in fluidisedbed; etc. More recently he developeda Thesis in the modelling and

simulation of biomass pyrolysis and ispresently responsible for the IPT’s pyrolysis

and gasification areas.

The PyNe Network would like to welcomeAdemar to the group who will now be thecountry representative for Brazil.

Ener

gy C

ost

s

16

Energy Energy Prices 1998Average prices 1/98–12/98, except italics part year only.

All liquid fuel prices in Euro/1000l.

All gas and electricity prices in Euro/100kWh (or Euro c/kWh).

All currency conversions based on exchangerates as defined below 1 Euro = 1.122 US$,1.973 DM.

Principal source: IEA Energy Prices and Taxes, 4th Quarter 1998 (ISBN 92-64-16197-X).

Secondary source: Erdol EnergieInformationsdienst, Nos 5/99, 6/99Brazil omitted as no 1998 data available.

By John Brammer, Bio-Energy Research Group,Aston University, United Kingdom

Country Electricity (Industry) Electricity (Domestic)

ex-tax tax total ex-tax tax total

Austria 6.73 6.73 14.45Belgium 6.06 16.94CanadaDenmark 5.03 1.05 6.08 7.54 11.45 19.00Finland 4.10 0.38 4.47 6.55 2.18 8.73France 5.24 12.44Germany 7.46 15.63GreeceIreland 5.30 5.30 9.76 1.22 10.98Italy 6.77 1.64 8.41 10.39 3.90 14.29JapanNetherlands 5.55 5.56 8.68 2.72 11.40Norway 4.18 1.80 5.97Portugal 8.14 8.14 12.93 0.65 13.58Spain 5.72 14.27Sweden 3.56 9.85Switzerland 9.01 9.01 11.29 0.73 12.02United Kingdom 5.68 5.68 10.26 0.52 10.77United States 3.52 7.33

Prices for Electricity

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

20.0

Au

stri

a

Can

ada

Fin

land

Ger

man

y

Irel

and

Jap

an

Nor

way

Spa

in

Sw

itzer

land

Uni

ted

Sta

tes

To

tal

Pri

ce,

Eu

ro/1

00kW

h

industry domestic

Electricity

Ener

gy C

ost

s

17

Country Heavy Fuel Oil Light Fuel Oil (Industry) Light Fuel Oil (Domestic)

ex-tax tax total ex-tax tax total ex-tax tax total

Austria 142.0 40.9 182.9 160.7 39.2 199.9 148.7 120.2 269.0Belgium 90.4 5.9 96.3 132.5 13.5 146.0 132.5 44.2 176.6Canada 70.8 105.2Denmark 87.6 45.5 133.1 210.8 34.6 245.4 201.2 360.5 561.7Finland 93.7 47.7 141.4 148.1 61.2 209.4 148.1 107.3 255.4France 86.2 17.4 103.6 125.7 78.7 204.4 169.0 129.7 298.7Germany 81.2 14.6 95.8 136.8 40.5 177.4 136.8 68.5 205.2Greece 100.3 37.7 137.9 133.5 147.7 281.2 133.5 198.3 331.8Ireland 116.9 17.7 134.6 155.3 52.0 207.3 223.6 86.5 310.1Italy 94.5 22.2 116.7 193.7 383.8 577.5 193.7 499.3 693.0Japan 188.8 9.4 198.3 185.5 9.3 194.7 290.1 14.5 304.6Netherlands 110.7 28.7 139.4 183.5 152.0 335.5Norway 172.2 85.7 257.9 265.6 52.6 318.2 282.2 129.6 411.7Portugal 121.7 11.9 133.6 200.5 276.0 476.5 200.5 299.8 500.3Spain 116.2 12.6 128.8 141.3 76.8 218.1 141.3 111.6 253.0Sweden 95.8 68.0 163.8 131.2 59.3 190.5 159.8 292.4 452.2Switzerland 97.8 7.4 105.2 122.3 8.4 130.7 149.6 18.6 168.3United Kingdom 83.1 30.6 113.7 121.8 41.7 163.5 134.7 49.6 184.3United States 72.3 99.0 213.9

Prices for Heavy Fuel Oil

0.0

50.0

100.0

150.0

200.0

250.0

300.0

Au

stri

a

Can

ada

Fin

land

Ger

man

y

Irel

and

Jap

an

Nor

way

Spa

in

Sw

itzer

land

Uni

ted

Sta

tes

Pri

ce, E

uro

/100

0l

ex-tax total

Prices for Light Fuel Oil (Industry)

0.0

100.0

200.0

300.0

400.0

500.0

600.0

Au

stri

a

Can

ada

Fin

land

Ger

man

y

Irel

and

Jap

an

Nor

way

Spa

in

Sw

itzer

land

Uni

ted

Sta

tes

Pri

ce, E

uro

/100

0l

ex-tax total

Prices for Light Fuel Oil (Domestic)

0.0

100.0

200.0

300.0

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0

Au

stri

a

Can

ada

Fin

land

Ger

man

y

Irel

and

Jap

an

Nor

way

Spa

in

Sw

itzer

land

Uni

ted

Sta

tes

Pri

ce, E

uro

/100

0l

ex-tax total

Fuel Oils

Heavy fuel oil is low sulphur, except Canada, Ireland, UK and US (high sulphur)Heavy fuel oil density 0.96 kg/l

&TaxesPrices

Ener

gy C

ost

s

18

Country Diesel (Commercial) Diesel (Non-commercial) Gasoline

ex-tax tax total ex-tax tax total ex-tax tax total

Austria 235.0 287.1 522.1 234.3 391.3 625.6 259.4 545.2 804.6Belgium 205.9 287.3 493.3 221.1 394.1 615.2 208.0 651.6 859.6Canada 196.5 128.0 324.6 200.7 182.1 382.9Denmark 331.8 216.9 548.7 244.3 442.1 686.4 251.3 623.3 874.6Finland 205.0 301.5 506.5 205.0 412.9 617.9 204.0 721.5 925.4France 161.4 367.0 528.3 161.4 475.8 637.1 171.5 739.4 910.9Germany 189.0 314.2 503.2 183.9 392.7 576.7 200.2 606.6 806.7Greece 158.0 227.9 385.9 158.0 298.2 456.2 207.5 414.6 622.1Ireland 252.2 329.6 581.8 252.2 451.2 703.5 238.3 507.0 745.3Italy 204.9 383.5 588.4 204.9 501.1 706.0 229.0 675.7 904.1Japan 189.3 228.1 417.4 296.9 233.6 530.4 266.9 398.3 665.2Netherlands 213.8 335.9 549.7 213.8 432.0 645.8 238.9 710.4 949.3Norway 292.5 457.7 750.2 292.5 630.2 922.8 247.0 783.2 1030.1Portugal 200.5 273.5 474.0 200.5 357.0 557.5 219.0 584.7 803.7Spain 190.6 263.1 453.8 190.6 335.7 526.4 206.8 453.5 660.2Sweden 265.8 299.6 565.4 265.8 440.9 706.7 221.1 681.8 902.9Switzerland 130.9 472.8 603.7 226.9 518.3 745.1 213.3 499.8 713.1United Kingdom 175.9 647.3 823.2 175.9 792.1 968.0 178.8 780.3 959.1United States 140.8 103.4 244.2 204.1 90.0 294.1

Prices for Diesel (Commercial)

0.0

100.0

200.0

300.0

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0

800.0

900.0

Au

stri

a

Can

ada

Fin

land

Ger

man

y

Irel

and

Jap

an

Nor

way

Spa

in

Sw

itzer

land

Uni

ted

Sta

tes

Pri

ce, E

uro

/100

0l

ex-tax total

Prices for Diesel (Non-commercial)

0.0

100.0

200.0

300.0

400.0

500.0

600.0

700.0

800.0

900.0

1000.0

Au

stri

a

Can

ada

Fin

land

Ger

man

y

Irel

and

Jap

an

Nor

way

Spa

in

Sw

itzer

land

Un

ited

Sta

tes

Pri

ce, E

uro

/100

0l

ex-tax total

Prices for Gasoline

0.0

200.0

400.0

600.0

800.0

1000.0

1200.0

Au

stri

a

Can

ada

Fin

land

Ger

man

y

Irel

and

Jap

an

Nor

way

Spa

in

Sw

itzer

land

Uni

ted

Sta

tes

Pri

ce, E

uro

/100

0l

ex-tax total

Transport Fuels

‘Gasoline is premium unleaded 95 RON, except Canada (97 RON), Denmark (98 RON) and Japan (Regular)’

New

Dev

elopm

ents

& E

nerg

y Cost

s

19

Country Natural Gas (Industry) Natural Gas (Domestic)

ex-tax tax total ex-tax tax total

Austria 1.60 2.31 0.88 3.18Belgium 0.92 0.92 2.51 0.67 3.18Canada 0.54 1.34Denmark 3.56 1.39 4.95Finland 0.91 0.14 1.05 0.91 0.37 1.28France 1.15 3.16Germany 1.53 3.07GreeceIreland 2.17 2.17 2.86 0.36 3.22Italy 1.19 0.13 1.31 5.18JapanNetherlands 0.88 0.06 0.94 1.96 0.78 2.74NorwayPortugalSpain 1.06 1.06 3.47 0.62 4.09Sweden 1.89 4.92Switzerland 1.81 0.02 1.83 3.14 0.23 3.37United Kingdom 0.81 0.81 2.42 0.12 2.54United States 0.92 2.02

Prices for Natural Gas

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0A

ust

ria

Can

ada

Fin

land

Ger

man

y

Irel

and

Jap

an

Nor

way

Spa

in

Sw

itzer

land

Uni

ted

Sta

tes

To

tal

Pri

ce,

Eu

ro/1

00kW

h

industry domestic

Gas

The Canadian Government is investing $1,167,000 in Orenda AerospaceCorporation to help develop a reliable power generating system based onfiring bio-oil in a gas turbine. Orenda is the first company in the world tosuccessfully demonstrate the feasibility of a turbine power generationsystem for industry, which is capable of operating on liquid bio-oil derived from feedstocks such as wood, grasses, waste paper and agricultural residues. This project will further advance the technology by:

• developing and testing commercial-scale systems for engine operation on bio-fuel;

• redesigning and refining the combustion system and;

• developing specifications for a full commercial-level power generation system.

This project furthers the development of apromising new technology to help reducegreenhouse gas emissions and allows Orendato diversify into the fast-growing field ofgreen power production. The technology isexpected to reduce CO2 emissions by 0.65million tonnes per year by 2005 and 1.25million tonnes per year by 2010, while alsocreating 19 new high technology jobs.

Orenda Aerospace Corporation is a Canadian-based company wholly owned by MagellanAerospace Corporation, of Mississauga,Ontario. Orenda has an establishedreputation in power and propulsiontechnologies, with core competenciesin gas turbine engine repair and overhaul,component manufacturing for turbine OEMs,reciprocating power plants, industrial power packages, and advanced energy systems.(see PyNe Newsletter 7, pages 5 and 6).


Orenda1420 Blair Place,Suite 608GloucesterOntarioK1J 9L8CANADA

Tel: +1 613 993 2413Fax: +1 613 941 1329

OGT2500 – 2.5MW Gas turbine engine

Power Generationfrom bio-oilFrom Ed Hogan, Natural Resources Canada, Canada

Due to circumstances entirely outside our control, this conference has had to be moved to:

17th – 22nd September 2000 – Tyrol, Austria

The Fifth International Conference on Thermochemical Biomass Conversion

For further details or registration of papers see our Website:

Contact: Prof. Tony Bridgwater (Email: [email protected])

or Miss Nina Ahrendt (Email: [email protected])

Fax: +44 121 359 6814

http: //www.pyne.co.uk/PITBC2000

20

Progress inThermochemicalBiomass Conversion

Bois/Holz Energie(Quarterly newsletter in French and German)

Mr George Berger28 boulevard GambettaF 39000 Lons le Saunier, FRANCETel: +33 3 84 43 20 32Fax: +33 3 84 24 17 07Email: [email protected]: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/ajena/itebe

CENBIO

Prof. Luciano Gualberto1289 – Cidade UniversitáriaCEP: 05508-900São Paulo – SPBRAZILTel: +55 (011) 816 7828Fax: +55 (011) 818 5031

Energy Management(Subscription, 6 issues per year)

Energy ManagementReaderlink LtdAudit House260 Fields End Road RuislipMiddlesex, HA4 9BR UNITED KINGDOM

N&RE European Briefing(Published twice a year)

N&RE Enquiries BureauETSUTel: +44 1235 432450Email: [email protected]: http://www.etsu.com

OR

Ronan HarbisonDirectorate-General XVIIUnit C2226/236 Avenue de TervurenB-1150 BrusselsBELGIUMTel: +32 2 295 6319Fax: +32 2 296 6283Email: [email protected]

Renewable Energy ReportFinancial Times – Monthly analysis ofglobal markets, finance and policy

Maple House149 Tottenham Court RoadLondon W1P 9LLUNITED KINGDOMTel: +44 171 896 2241Fax: +44 171 896 2275

Further Complementary PublicationsEnergy and the Environment

Ms Siobhan HallFT EnergyMaple House149 Tottenham Court RoadLondon, W1P 9LLTel: +44 171 896 2241Fax: +44 171 896 2275

CANMET

Michio IkuraCANMET Energy Technology CentreNatural Resources Canada1 Haanel Drive, Nepean, OntarioK1A 1M1 CANADATel: +1 613 943 8882Fax: +1 613 996 0505Email: [email protected]: http://www.nrcan.gxc.ca/es/etb/

A complete list of ComplementaryPublications can be found on the PyNeWebsite: http://www.pyne.co.uk/

NEW DATE

PIT

BC &

Fur

ther

Com

plem

enta

ry P

ublic

atio

ns

Diary of Events

Diary

of Ev

ents

21

Waste Management ‘99 InternationalConference and Exhibition

Venue: Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong

Date: 20-21 September 1999Contact: Tracy Cook, Project Manager,

Alternative DevelopmentAsia Ltd, 1406 Leader Commercial Building, 54-56 Hillwood Road, TST, Kowloon, HONG KONG


3rd European Biofuels ForumInternational Conferenceand Trade Show

Venue: Palais des Congrès,Brussels, Belgium

Date: 11-13 October 1999Contact: Conference & Exhibition

Organisers, PO Box/B.P. 822,NL 3700, AV Zeist

Tel: +31 30 693 3489Fax: +31 30 691 7394Email: [email protected]: http://www.europoint-bv.com

Entrée 99 – Sustainable Use of NaturalResources – Co-operative Planning and Actions

Venue: Tampere, FinlandDate: 10-13 November 1999Contact: Ms Marjukka Dyer,

Tampere Polytecni,Teiskontie 33, FIN-33520,Tampere, FINLAND

Tel: +358 3 264 74 01Fax: +358 3 264 74 47Email: [email protected] OR

[email protected]

6th Edition of the Romanian Environment Forum

Venue: International Conference Centre,Parliament Palace, Bucharest, Romania

Date: 16-19 November 1999Contact: Adrian Relicovschi,

PO Box 4-83/74126,Bucharest, ROMANIA

Tel: +40 1 320 21 39 or 320 27 24Fax: +40 1 323 44 23Email: [email protected]

Millennium International Conferenceon Renewable Energy Technologies

Venue: Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Date: 9-11 February 2000Contact: Dr C Palaniappan,

Organising Secretary,171/2 Madurai KamarajUniversity Road, Rajambadi, Madurai Kamaraj University Post, Madurai – 625 021, INDIA.

Tel: +91 452 858607, 856020

Fax: +91 452 858607,856020, 742886

Email: [email protected] OR [email protected]

Renewable Energy for the New Millennium

Venue: Sydney, AustraliaDate: 8-10 March 2000Contact: The Meetings Manager Pty Ltd,

PO Box N542, Grosvenor Place NSW, 1220, AUSTRALIA

Tel: +612 9241 2955Fax: +612 9241 5354Email: [email protected]: http://www.esaa.com.au

Pyrolysis’ 2000 – 14th InternationalSymposium on Analyticaland Applied Pyrolysis

Venue: Seville, SpainDate: 2-6 April 2000 Contact: Secretariat general and

registration, Viajes El Monte – Dpto. de Congresos C/ Santo Domingode la Calzada, 5 –1ª ,41018 Seville – SPAIN

Tel: + 34 95 498 10 89 Fax: + 34 95 457 78 63 E-mail: [email protected]: http://www.irnase.csic.es/py’2000/

5th European Conferenceon Industrial Furnaces and Boilers

Venue: Porto, PortugalDate: 11-14 April 2000Contact: INFUB, A. Reis, R. Gago

Coutinho, 185-187,4435 Rio Tinto, PORTUGAL

Tel: +351 2 973 46 24Fax: +351 2 973 07 46Email: [email protected]: http://www.infub.pt

International Exhibition on New Energy,Renewable Energy & Energy Saving 2000

Venue: Shanghai Exhibition Centre, China

Date: 18-21 April 2000Contact: Shanghai Pudong Internation

Exhibition Corporation, CoastalInternational Exhibition,Co, Ltd, Room 3808,China resources Building, 26 Harbour Road, Wanchai, HONG KONG, 26 38 3808

Tel: +352 2827 6766Fax: +352 2827 6870Email: [email protected]: www.coastal.com.hk

R’2000 – Recovery, Recycling, Re-integration

Venue: Ontario, CanadaDate: 5-9 June 2000Contact: PEAK Ltd, Ms Maria Buhler,

R’2000 Executive Director, Seefeldstrasse, 224, CH-8008, Surich, SWITZERLAND

Tel: +41 1 386 44 44Fax: +41 1 386 44 45Email: [email protected]

Biomass for Energy and Industry 1st WorldConference and Technology Exhibitiona merger of:11th European Biomass Conferenceand Technology Exhibition; 5th BiomassConference of the Americas; CanadianBiomass Conference

Venue: Conference and Exhibition Centre, Sevilla, Spain

Date: 5-9 June 2000Contact: EnergiaTA – Florence,

Dr David Chiaramonti,Piazza Savonarola 10,I-50132, Florence, ITALY

Tel: +39 055 5002 174Fax: +39 055 5734 425Email: [email protected]: http://www.etaflorence.it

http://www.wip.tnet.de

Renewable Energy 2000

Venue: Metropole, Brighton, UKDate: 1-3 July 2000Contact: Reed Exhibition Companies

ISWA 2000 8th World Congress of ISWA

Venue: Paris, FRANCEDate: 3-7 July 2000Contact: Secrétariat pour le 8e Congrès

Mondial de l’ISWA c/o AGHTM 83, Avenue Foch – BP 39 16 75761, Paris Cedex16, FRANCE

Tel: +33 1 53 70 13 53Fax: +33 1 53 70 13 40

ENERGEX 2000 8th InternationalEnergy Forum

Venue: Las Vegas, USADate: 23-28 July 2000Contact: Dr. Chenn Q. Zhou,

Purdue University Calument, Department of Engineering, Hammond IN 46323, USA

Tel: +1 219 989 2665Fax: +1 210 989 2898Email: [email protected]: http://www2.regina.ism.ca/

ief/index.htmhttp://www.energysource.com/ ief/updates/

Progress in ThermochemicalBiomass Conversion

Venue: Tyrol, AUSTRIADate: 17-22 September 2000Contact: Prof. Tony Bridgwater or

Miss Nina AhrendtBio-Energy Research Group, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, UNITED KINGDOM

Tel: +44 121 359 3611 (Ext. 4647or 4633)

Fax: +44 121 359 6814Email: [email protected]

[email protected]: http://www.pyne.co.uk

Bioenergy for mitigation of CO2 emissions: thepower, transportation, and industrial sectors

Venue: Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USADate: 27-30 September 1999Website: www.joanneum.ac.at/

iea-bioenergy-task25

Information compiled by Claire Humphreys, Aston University, United Kingdom and Filomena Pinto, INETI, Portugal

Book

New

s

22

1999 Europa Guide to 183European Union Grants

This has been devised as the comprehensivereference to European Community subsidiesand grant funding programmes. The 1999Europa Guide provides complete backgroundinformation for all 183 of the EuropeanUnion’s funding programmes as well aspractical advice and assistance on obtainingsubsidies for your project proposals.

It includes 3 main parts which are:-

l Guide to 183 European Union Subsidies

183 entries for 183 European Unionsubsidies, all updated and classified by theme. Provides contact informationfor programme supervisors, including 5th Framework programmes.

l Directories of European CommissionCivil Servants

From programme directors through to unit heads, complete contact information for all European Commission civil servants with power of approval for EU subsidies.

l Guide to European UnionInstitutions and Policy

A comprehensive introduction to eachof the various EU institutions and funding programmes; includes a practical guide to optimising your chances of obtaining funding.

Price: 160 Euros or FRF 1049.53


Europa Data38 Rue de BassanoF – 75008 ParisFRANCE

Tel: +33 1 4431 2055Fax: +33 1 4070 0130Email: [email protected]: www.europa-data.com

Free Renewable Energy Software available

Natural Resources Canada are pleased toinform you about the availability of a newsoftware tool for evaluating renewableenergy technology projects. This software,called RETScreen™, can be downloadedFREE OF CHARGE at the following web site:

http://cedrl.mets.nrcan.gc.ca/retscreen/

RETScreen™ is a standardised project pre-feasibility assessment software thatfacilitates the identification of cost-effectivedeployment opportunities for renewableenergy technologies. The following modelsare currently available:

1. Wind energy2. Small hydro3. Photovoltaics4. Solar ventilation air heating5. Biomass heating



European Financial Resources Guide

Renewable Energy Focus on BiomassOver 200 ways to finance renewableenergy projects.

The aim of the guide is to help financerenewable energy projects in Europe.Renewable energy plays a key role insustainable development targets of the EUand its member countries. As renewableenergy is more expensive than traditionalenergy, financial incentives are broughtinto action. The European financial guideprovides a clear and easy accessibleoverview of all these incentives. Project developers can improve the economicfeasibility of their initiatives assistedby the guide.

Price: 160 ECUs


PITMC, Mr H BoerSchapenlaan 136NL-2512 HX The Hague


OR

Novem, Mr K KwantPO Box 8242NL-3503 RE Utrecht


Biomass for Renewable Energy,Fuels, and Chemicals

D L Klass, Entech International Inc,Barrington, Illinois

Biomass for Renewable Energy, Fuelsand Chemicals is an invaluable referencefor researchers, who are interestedin the technical details of biomassenergy production, and also servesas a comprehensive introduction to the subject for the student and educator. The coverage and discussion are multi-disciplinary, reflecting the manyscientific and engineering disciplines involved.

July 1998, 500ppPrice: £69.95ISBN: 0-12-410950-0

Biofuels and Industrial Products from Jatropha Curcas

Proceedings from the Jatropha 97Conference Edited by G M Gübitz,M Mittelbach and M Trabi

Jatropha Curcas (common name ‘physic nut’)is a drought resistant shrub or tree growingin many tropical and sub–tropical countries.Its seeds, toxic to humans and many animalscontain a high percentage of oil used forcandles, soap or biodiesel production. In the book ‘Biofuels and IndustrialProducts from Jotropha Curcas and otherTropical Oil Seed Plants’ over 40 scientificcontributions from both research institutesand the industry demonstrate the potentialof under-utilised and neglected plants for example for biodiesel production, human and animal nutrition, pest control or fertilisers.

ISBN: 3-7041-0242-3


University of Technology Graz AUSTRIA

Website: www.cis.tu-graz.ac.at/biote/jatropha/proceedings.htm

OR

Proyecto BiomasaManagua NICARAGUA

Website: www.ibw.com.ni/~biomasa/

Book News

Book

New

s

23

Waste-to-Energy Trends in Europe

This report provides the findings of Juniper’s3rd Biennial Survey of the Municipal SolidWaste Incineration (MSWI) industry. This survey is designed as a follow-up studyto two earlier surveys carried out by Juniperin 1994 and 1996. The survey was sent to274 MSQI sites across Europe – more than90% of active sites in Western Europe.Waste-to-Energy Trends in Europe: willprovide you with the very latest informationon MSW incineration today and an analysisof future trends – including operatingpractices, costs, recycling, residuemanagement and capacity trends. This latestedition is an invaluable reference documentfor all those involved in waste management,environmental technology or alternativeenergy.

Price: £150.00ISBN: 0 9534305 0 2

For future information please contact:

Juniper Consultancy Services Ltd,Sheppards MillUleyGloucestershireGL11 5SPUnited KingdomTel: +44 1453 860750Fax: +44 (0) 1453 860882Email: [email protected]

Thermal Data for Naturaland Synthetic Fuels

S Gaur, VSLR Sciences, Arvada, Coloradoand T Reed, Colorado School of Mines,Golden, Colorado

100 samples of organic substances havebeen characterised under identicalconditions by thermogravimetry anddifferential thermal analysis in addition to proximate analysis – providing accurateinformation essential in research andengineering applications related to fuel preparation.

The book discusses non-isothermal kinetictechniques, mathematical models, andother parameter estimation proceduresthat facilitate the extrapolation of resultsobtained under various conditions.

Price: $150.00, 280 pp.,ISBN: 0-8247-0070-8Marcel Dekker

Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass: A Handbook

A Bridgwater, S Czernik, J Diebold,D Meier, A Oasmaa, C Peacocke,J Piskorz, D Radkin

This handbook is an edited and updatedversion of the final report of the IEABioenergy sponsored Pyrolysis Activity –PYRA – that officially finished in 1998 andaccomplished many valuable contributions tothe science and technology of fast pyrolysis.It is intended that this handbook will providea useful guide both to newcomers to thesubject area as well as those already involvedin research, development and implementation.

Published in the UK by CPL Press© Aston University, Bio-Energy Research Group, UK

Price: £35ISBN: 1 872691 07 2May 1999

Book News continued...

CIGR Handbook of AgriculturalEngineering Volume V-Energy & Biomass Engineering

This handbook is designed to cover themajor fields of agricultural engineering suchas soil and water, machinery and itsmanagement, farm structures and processingagricultural, as well as other emerging fields.Information on technology for rural planning and farming systems, aquaculture,environmental technology for plant andanimal production, energy and biomassengineering is also incorporated in this handbook.

Edited by: CIGR-The InternationalCommission of Agricultural Engineering

Published by: American Society ofAgricultural Engineers

ISBN: 0-929355-97-0

Co-ordinator

Tony BridgwaterBio Energy Research GroupAston UniversityBirminghamB4 7ETUNITED KINGDOMTel: +44 121 359 3611Fax: +44 121 359 6814/4094Email: [email protected]

Austria

Maximilian LauerInstitute of Energy ResearchJoanneum ResearchElisabethstrasse 5A-8010 GrazAUSTRIATel: +43 316 876 1336Fax: +43 316 876 1320Email: [email protected]

Belgium

Yves SchenkelCentre for Agricultural Research (CRA)Chausée de Namur, 146GemblouxB–5030BELGIUMTel: +32 81 612501Fax: +32 81 615847Email: [email protected]

Brazil

Ademar Hakuo UshimaChemical EngineerInstituto de Pesquisas Tecnologicas – IPTAgrupamento de Engenharia TermicaDivisao de Engenharia MecanicaCidade UniversitariaSao Paulo – SP – BrazilCEP 005508-901BRAZILTel: +55 11 3767 4520Fax: +55 11 3767 4784Email: [email protected]

Canada

Jan PiskorzRTI – Resource Transforms International Ltd110 Baffin Place, Unit 5WaterlooOntario, N2V 1Z7CANADATel: +1 519 884 4910Fax: +1 519 884 7681Email: [email protected]

Denmark

Karsten PedersenDanish Technological Institute TeknologiparkenDK8000 Aarhus CDENMARKTel: +45 89 43 8617Fax: +45 89 43 8673Email: [email protected]

Finland

Anja OasmaaVTT EnergyNew Energy TechnologiesPO Box 1601Espoo, FIN-02044 VTTFINLANDTel: +358 9 456 5594Fax: +358 9 460 493Email: [email protected]

France

Philippe GirardCirad Forêt Maison de la Technologie73 rue Jean François BretonBP503534032 Montpellier FRANCETel: +33 467 61 44 90Fax: +33 467 61 65 15Email: [email protected]

Germany

Dietrich MeierBFH-Institute for Wood ChemistryLeuschnerstrasse 91D-21031 HamburgGERMANYTel: +49 40 739 62 517Fax: +49 40 739 62 502Email: [email protected]

Greece

Yannis BoukisC.R.E.S. – Division of Technical Support19th km Athinon Marathonos AveGR 190 09Pikermi – AttikisGREECETel: +30 1 60 39 900Fax: +30 1 60 39 904/905/38 006Email: [email protected]

Ireland

Pearse BuckleyUnited Waste Ireland Limited3 Synge StreetDublin 8IRELANDTel: +353 1 478 3765Fax: +353 1 478 4191Email: [email protected]

Italy

Colomba Di BlasiUniversitá degli Studi di Napoli‘Federico II’Dipartimento di Ingegneria ChimicaP. le V. Tecchio 80125NapoliITALYTel: +39 081 768 2232Fax: +39 081 239 1800Email: [email protected]

Netherlands

Wolter PrinsBTGBusiness & Science ParkPantheon 12PS Enschede7521NETHERLANDSTel: +31 53 489 2239Fax: +31 53 432 5399Email: [email protected]

Norway

Morten GronliSINTEF Energy ResearchThermal Energy and Hydropower7034 TrondheimNORWAYTel: +47 73 59 37 25Fax: +47 73 59 28 89Email: [email protected]

Portugal

Filomena PintoINETI-ITE-DTCEdificio JAzinhaga dos LameiroEstrada do Paço do Lumiar1699 Lisboa CodexPORTUGALTel: +351 1 716 52 99Fax: +351 1 716 65 69Email: [email protected]

Spain

Jesus ArauzoUniversidad de ZaragozaChemical & Environmental EngineeringDepartmentCentro Politecnico SuperiorMaría de Luna 3E 50015 ZaragozaSPAINTel: +34 97 676 1878/60Fax: +34 97 676 1861/1879Email: [email protected]

Sweden

Erik RensfeltTPS Termiska Processer ABStudsvikS-611 82 NykopingSWEDENTel: +46 155 221385Fax: +46 155 263052Email: [email protected]

USA

Stefan CzernikNREL1617 Cole BoulevardGoldenColorado80401USATel: +1 303 275 3821Fax: +1 303 275 3896/2905Email: [email protected]

PyN

e Mem

bers

hip

The PyNE newsletter is published by the Bio-Energy Research Group, Aston University, United Kingdom and is sponsored bythe FAIR Programme of the European Commission DGXII and IEA Bioenergy.

For further details or offers to contribute, please contact Claire Humphreys (see inside front cover for details).Any opinions published are those of the contributors and do not reflect any policies of the EC or any other organisation. EoE

© Copyright Aston University.

Wils

on A

ssoc

iate

s A

dver

tisin

g. (W

AA

) +44

( 0) 1

21 3

21 1

411

Please contact your country representative for further information.

IEA Bioenergy

PyNe Group in Montpellier,France,April 1999.

Documents

Handl Czernik Hydrogen from Biomass by Buckley Catalytic ... Newsletters/PyNews 08.pdf · Conference & Meeting Reports 3 Workshop on Stabilisation/ UpgradingofBio-oils By Stefan Czernik,