Welcome to the Biomass conversion technologies database which you can access underneath! 

Through the underneath table users can access the database on lignocellulosic biomass conversion technologies characteristics (click on the number in last column). The data included in this database are feeding the Bio2Match, the BeWhere and the LocaGIStics tools all accessible via the main menu in this toolset under 'Tools'. accessible under the ‘Tool'  tab in the main menu above. In the process of creating the database it was ensured to take up the technologies relevant for producing the products described in the product market combinations in WP7 and that were the basis for assessing 2020 and 2030 biomass demand and consumption levels (see Tab 'General data' ---> 'Biomass demand'. For heat, power and fuels, several technologies are available in the database, while for other bio-based products (especially through the sugar platform) some but fewer conversion technologies are included. This is a representation of the technology readiness levels and the current and expected market situation for these products.

In the underneath table an overview is provided of all technologies included in the conversion technologies database. To access the detailed technology characterisation sheets in de database click on the technology number in the last column of the table.  To return to the overview table again click on the return arrow

The technologies covered can be classified in 6 main categories: treatment in subcritical water, syngas platform, gasification technologies, fast pyrolysis, direct combustion of solid biomass, chemical pretreatment, biochemical hydrolisis and fermentation and anearobic digestion. For a further description of the biomass conversion technologies database please consult D2.3The method developed in S2BIOM for minimal biomass quality requirement for each biomass conversion technology is described in D2.1 and  D2.2.

Conversion technologies Conversion technologies

Output capacity Common biomass input Technology readiness level Number
Direct combustion of solid biomass Waste incinerators with energy recovery Grate fired waste incinerator Power (10 MWe), Heat (25 MWth) Hazardous post consumer wood, Non hazardous post consumer wood, Biowaste as part of integrally collected municipal waste: Biodegradable waste of not separately collected municipal waste (excluding textile and paper) Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 32
Oleochemical processing Transesterification Transesterification for FAME production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) Oil from Camelina, Oil from Ethiopian Mustard seed 83
Biochemical ethanol and biobased products Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation Ethanol from lignocellulose (dilute acid pretreatment), value chain example Power (13.7 MWe), Ethanol (27.5 m3/hour) Cereals straw, Maize stover Level 8, System integrated in commercial design 65
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis plus boiler for heat and steam Fast pyrolysis + CHP plant, value chain example Power (4.13 MWe), Heat (15.24 MWth) Residues from further woodprocessing, Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees Level 6, Prototype system verified 70
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis plus boiler for heat and steam Pyrolysis oil to steam Heat (25 MWth) Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 39
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis plus boiler for heat and steam Residues pyrolysis + CHP plant, value chain example Power (3.7 MWe), Heat (12.4 MWth) Cereals straw, Sunflower straw, Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees Level 6, Prototype system verified 72
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis plus boiler for heat and steam Fast pyrolysis + Industrial steam boiler, value chain example Power (0.66 MWe), Heat (31.4 MWth) Residues from further woodprocessing, Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 68
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis plus boiler for heat and steam Pyrolysis oil to heat Heat (5 MWth) Level 8, System integrated in commercial design 38
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis plus boiler for heat and steam Fast pyrolysis of residues Power (0.1 MWe), Heat (3.4 MWth), Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) Cereals straw, Sunflower straw, Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 24
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis plus boiler for heat and steam Fast pyrolysis of clean wood Power (0.33 MWe), Heat (3.2 MWth), Pyrolysis oil (2.667 m3/hour) Residues from further woodprocessing, Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees Level 8, System integrated in commercial design 23
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis plus boiler for heat and steam Fast pyrolysis + Boiler for heat, value chain example Power (0.53 MWe), Heat (19.6 MWth) Residues from further woodprocessing, Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees Level 8, System integrated in commercial design 67
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis plus boiler for heat and steam Residues pyrolysis + Boiler for heat, value chain example Power (0.1 MWe), Heat (16.4 MWth) Cereals straw, Sunflower straw, Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 71
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis oil and diesel engine for electricity CHP Gas Turbine Power (1.8 MWe), Heat (4.5 MWth) Level 6, Prototype system verified 63
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis oil and diesel engine for electricity Pyrolysis combustion engine (compression-ignition) Power (0.25 MWe), Heat (0.25 MWth) Level 6, Prototype system verified 53
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis oil and diesel engine for electricity Fast pyrolysis + Multiple diesel combustion engines, value chain example Power (5.83 MWe), Heat (8.7 MWth) Residues from further woodprocessing, Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees Level 6, Prototype system verified 69
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis and hydrogenation for diesel fuel Fast pyrolysis oil thermochemical fractionation to pyrolytic lignin Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) Stemwood from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees, SRC Willow, SRC Poplar 78
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis and hydrogenation for diesel fuel Fast pyrolysis oil thermochemical fractionation to pyrolytic sugars Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) Stemwood from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees, SRC Willow, SRC Poplar 77
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis and hydrogenation for diesel fuel Pyrolysis oil diesel Pyrolysis diesel (23.6 m3/hour) Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees, Sawdust from sawmills from conifers, Sawmill residues: excluding sawdust, conifers, Residues from further woodprocessing Level 4, Laboratory testing protoype component or process 40
Fast pyrolysis Pyrolysis and hydrogenation for diesel fuel Co-processing of FPBO in FCC Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) Stemwood from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees, SRC Willow, SRC Poplar 76
Techniques from pulp and paper industry Prehydrolysis Kraft process in water phase Prehydrolysis kraft Power (76 MWe), Pulp (75 tonnes/hour), Hemicellulose (0 tonnes/hour), Tall oil (3 tonnes/hour), Turpentine (0.4 tonnes/hour) Stemwood from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 17
Oleochemical processing Polycondensation Polycondensation for alkyd resins production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 90
Oleochemical processing Polyamidation Polyamidation for polyamide production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 91
Anaerobic digestion Plug flow digester Dry Batch Digestion (MSW) Power (1 MWe), Biogas (700 m3/hour), Methane (420 m3/hour) Biowaste as part of integrally collected municipal waste: Biodegradable waste of not separately collected municipal waste (excluding textile and paper), Separately collected biowaste: Biodegradable waste of separately collected municipal  waste (excluding textile and paper) Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 35
Oleochemical processing Oxidative cleavage Oxidative cleavage for acids production (Azelaic DC9 and Pelargonic acid C9) Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) Oil from High oleic acid Safflower 82
Oleochemical processing Oxidative cleavage Oxidative cleavage for carboxylic acids production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 95
Oleochemical processing Olefin metathesis Olefin metathesis for chemical building blocks production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 94
Torrefaction Moving bed reactor Torrefaction and pelletisation (TOP) Torrefied biomass (10.7 m3/hour) Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 18
Techniques from pulp and paper industry Kraft process with LignoBoost process Kraft process with Lignoboost Power (28.7 MWe), Lignin (10.1 tonnes/hour), Pulp (75 tonnes/hour), Tall oil (3.3 tonnes/hour), Turpentine (0.4 tonnes/hour) Stemwood from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 16
Oleochemical processing Intermolecular condensation Intermolecular condensation for oligormers production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 88
Syngas platform Indirect gasification for SNG production Producer gas to biomethane Methane (11850 m3/hour) Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 44
Treatment in subcritical water Hydrothermal processing HTC Hydrothermal carbonisation of biowaste to coal for CHP Biocoal (2.1 tonnes/hour) Separately collected biowaste: Biodegradable waste of separately collected municipal  waste (excluding textile and paper), Biowaste as part of integrally collected municipal waste: Biodegradable waste of not separately collected municipal waste (excluding textile and paper), Other by-products and residues from food and fruit processing industry Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 74
Oleochemical processing Hydrolysis Hydrolysis for short chain fatty acids production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 92
Oleochemical processing Hydrogenation Hydrogenation for fatty alcohols production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 87
Extraction of fibers Hemp fiber processing for pulp and paper Hemp fiber processing for pulp and paper Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 100
Extraction of fibers Hemp fiber processing for insulation material, VC example Fiber processing of hemp to insulation material Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) Industrial hemp 85
Extraction of fibers Hemp fiber processing for composite material Hemp fiber processing for composite material Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 98
Extraction of fibers Hemp fiber processing for agro textile Hemp fiber processing for agro textile Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 99
Oleochemical processing Heat polymerisation Heat polymerisation for blown/stand oil production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 89
Syngas platform Fluidised bed gasification for methanol production Syngas to methanol Heat (45 MWth), Methanol (41.8 m3/hour) Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 41
Syngas platform Fluidised bed gasification for FT-fuels production Syngas to FT-diesel Power (1.5 MWe), Heat (26 MWth), FT-diesel (16 m3/hour) Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 52
Direct combustion of solid biomass Fluidised bed combustion for CHP (steam cycle) Bubbling fluidised bed combustion for CHP (steam cycle) Power (50 MWe), Heat (100 MWth) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 3
Direct combustion of solid biomass Fluidised bed combustion for CHP (steam cycle) Circulating fluidised bed combustion for CHP (steam cycle) Power (50 MWe), Heat (90 MWth) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 4
Gasification technologies Fixed bed (updraft), direct combustion Fixed bed, direct combustion Heat (5 MWth) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 13
Gasification technologies Fixed bed (downdraft) for CHP (gas engine) Fixed bed for CHP Power (0.05 MWe), Heat (0.1 MWth) Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from final fellings originating from conifer trees Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 12
Direct combustion of solid biomass Fixed bed combustion for heat Grate boiler with wood chips for heat Heat (15 MWth) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Non hazardous post consumer wood, Residues from further woodprocessing, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 29
Direct combustion of solid biomass Fixed bed combustion for heat Grate boiler with straw for heat Heat (2 MWth) Cereals straw, Giant reed (Perennial grass) Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 75
Direct combustion of solid biomass Fixed bed combustion for CHP (steam cycle) Grate boiler with agrobiomass for CHP Power (10 MWe), Heat (20 MWth) Cereals straw, Giant reed (Perennial grass) Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 73
Direct combustion of solid biomass Fixed bed combustion for CHP (steam cycle) Grate boiler with wood chips for CHP Power (5 MWe), Heat (10 MWth) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Non hazardous post consumer wood, Residues from further woodprocessing, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 30
Biochemical hydrolysis and fermentation Fermentation Fermentation alkaline pretreated Ethanol (10.2 m3/hour) Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 56
Biochemical hydrolysis and fermentation Fermentation Fermentation acid pretreated Ethanol (7.58 m3/hour) Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 62
Extraction of protein Extraction of micellar lupin protein, VC example Extraction of micellar lupin protein Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) Lupin seed 84
Oleochemical processing Esterification Esterification for fatty esters production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 96
Oleochemical processing Epoxidation Epoxidation for epoxidized oil production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 93
Biochemical hydrolysis and fermentation Enzymatic hydrolysis Enzymatic hydrolysis alkaline pretreated Lignin (2.85 tonnes/hour), Glucose (10.75 tonnes/hour), Xylose (7.2 tonnes/hour) Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 55
Biochemical hydrolysis and fermentation Enzymatic hydrolysis Enzymatic hydrolysis acid pretreated Lignin (7.74 tonnes/hour), Glucose (10.75 tonnes/hour), Xylose (2.55 tonnes/hour) Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 60
Gasification technologies Entrained flow for syngas production Entrained flow for syngas Heat (45 MWth), Methanol (26 m3/hour) Black liquor Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 11
Gasification technologies Dual Fluidized bed for syngas production DFB for syngas Heat ( MWth), Methane ( m3/hour) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 6, Prototype system verified 10
Gasification technologies Dual Fluidized bed for CHP (gas engine) DFB for CHP Power (5 MWe), Heat (10 MWth) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 9
Direct combustion of solid biomass Domestic residential batch fired stoves for heat Batch stove for heat Heat (0.015 MWth) Stemwood from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 34
Direct combustion of solid biomass Domestic pellet burners for heat Pellet boiler for heat Heat (0.02 MWth) Stemwood from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Sawdust from sawmills from nonconifers, Sawdust from sawmills from conifers Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 33
Direct combustion of solid biomass Direct co-combustion in coal fired power plants Co-firing in PC Power (500 MWe) Sawdust from sawmills from nonconifers, Sawdust from sawmills from conifers, Stemwood from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from final fellings originating from conifer trees Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 31
Chemical pretreatment Dilute acid hydrolysis Dilute acid hydrolysis Lignin (7.74 tonnes/hour), Hemicellulose (2.83 tonnes/hour), Cellulose (13.4 tonnes/hour) Cereals straw, Maize stover Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 57
Anaerobic digestion Complete mix digester Complete mix digester state of the art 2014 Power (2 MWe), Heat (3.5 MWth), Biogas (505 m3/hour), Methane (278 m3/hour) Cereals straw, Maize stover, Sugarbeet leaves, Separately collected biowaste: Biodegradable waste of separately collected municipal  waste (excluding textile and paper), Unused grassland cuttings (abandoned grassland, managed grasslands not used for feed) Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 2
Gasification technologies Circulating Fluidized bed for syngas production CFB for syngas Heat (45 MWth), Methanol (26 m3/hour) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 8
Gasification technologies Circulating Fluidized bed for IGCC CFB for IGCC Power (63 MWe), Heat (90 MWth) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 6
Gasification technologies Circulating Fluidized bed for CHP (gas engine) CFB for CHP Power (10 MWe), Heat (15 MWth) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 5
Gasification technologies Bubbling fluidized bed for syngas production BFB for syngas Heat (45 MWth), Methanol (26 m3/hour) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 15
Gasification technologies Bubbling fluidized bed for IGCC BFB for IGCC Power (63 MWe), Heat (67 MWth) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 6, Prototype system verified 14
Gasification technologies Bubbling fluidized bed for CHP (gas engine) BFB for CHP Power (5 MWe), Heat (8 MWth) Logging residues from final fellings originating from nonconifer trees, Logging residues from final fellings originating from conifer trees, Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Residues from further woodprocessing, Non hazardous post consumer wood Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment 7
Treatment in subcritical water Aqueous Phase Reforming Aqueous Phase Reforming Gasoline (5.4 liter/hour) Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees Level 5, Laboratory testing integrated system 27
Oleochemical processing Amines via nitrile route Nitrile route to fatty aminesproduction Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 86
Oleochemical processing Amidation Amidation for fatty amines production Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) 97
Oleochemical processing Alkali pyrolysis Alkali pyrolysis for fatty acids production (Sebacic Acid DC10, 2- Octanol) Pyrolysis oil (2.7125 m3/hour) Oil from Castor bean 81
Chemical pretreatment Alkaline hydrolysis Alkaline hydrolysis Lignin (2.9 tonnes/hour), Hemicellulose (8.0 tonnes/hour), Cellulose (13.4 tonnes/hour) Cereals straw, Maize stover Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated 54