Project 6
Conversion of Biomass into
Bioenergy and Bioproducts
Roger Ruan, Petter Hieronumus Heyerdahl,
and
Lanny Schmidt, Robert Walker,
Elisabet Fjermestad Hagen
How new technologies can provide sustainable solutions
Staur, Norway, August 15th – 18th, 2004
Outline
Biomass facts
New biomass conversion technologies
– Total liquefaction process
– Microwave pyrolysis
– Refining
– Product and market possibilities
Joint collaboration proposal resulted
from last year’s meeting and our
recent discussion
Biomass characteristics
Lot of biomass available, such as
agricultural and forestry byproducts,
MSW, and industrial wastes
Low bulk density and distributed
resource
Low energy density
New biomass conversion
technologies
Total liquefaction process
Microwave pyrolysis
Refining
Zero Emission!
Biomass
Total Liquefaction Process
Biopolymers, Biochemicals, Biofuels
Example of Biomass
pineapple pulp
corn stover meal
starch
Liquefaction apparatus
Liquefying agents
Catalysts
Medium temperature
Atmospheric pressure
Fossil Oil Like Biopolyols
Unlimited Possibilities
•
Millions of years work in hours
•
Can be implemented on or near farms to
convert bulky biomass to easily managed
pumpable liquids for transport to refineries
Product Possibilities
 Fuels
 Biopolymers
– Polyurethane (soft and rigid foam)
– Polyesters (sheet, film)
– Adhesives
 Paints
 High strength pressed articles (e.g., fiber
board)
 Fibers
 Feedstock for other processes
Research at CFB
Polyester + DGG
Composite
Sample Products
Polyester film
Polyester + fibers
Composite
Polyurethane foam
Wood Adhesive
Biodiesel
Collaboration on Microwave
Technology for Biomass Conversion
Microwave as alternative heating
method for biomass liquefaction:
– Expected advantages:
• Fast and uniform heating
• Enhanced efficiency
• Reduced undesirable localized burning or
carbonization
• Better temperature control
Biogas
Methane, hydrogen, CO ++
Microwaves
Microwave
Pyrolysis
Heats biomass
in oxygen
free atemosphere.
Biomass
Bio-oils
Organic acids
Thermochemical
decomposition.
Carbon and inert
Pyrolysis Reactor at Agricultural
University of Norway (10-60kg/hr)
Factory produces elect., gas, oil, organic acids and carbon
Biooil from microwave
pyrolysis
Biooil Refining System at Center for Biorefining
Biooils, Biopolyols to
Hydrogen and other Products
Biomass
Bio-oil
Preprocessing
Liquefaction
Biopolyol
and biooil
injector
Purification
Waste
Solvent Recycle
Gas
and/or
water
Heating
tape
Catalysts
Gases
H2, Syngas,
Condensables
Modified Pyrolysis
Condensation
Separation
Joint collaboration proposals
Combined Biomass Refining Scheme
Clean
Biomass
Total
Liquefaction
Process
Difficult
Biomass
Ind.Waste
MSW
Microwave
Pyrolysis
Biorefining:
Oxidation,
Separation,
Condensation
and
Distillation,
Etc.
Biooils
Syngas
Biopolymers
Coke
Biochemicals
Etc.
Thank you!
Questions?