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 D2.3. The method developed in S2BIOM for minimal biomass quality requirement for each biomass conversion technology is described in D2.1 and D2.2.
Conversion technologies
View details of Alkaline hydrolysis
| Name | Alkaline hydrolysis |
| Main category | Chemical pretreatment |
| Subcategory | Alkaline hydrolysis |
| Image url |
| Year of first implementation |
| Estimated number of systems in operation |
| Main operating principle: |
| Removal of lignin from biomass, thereby improving the reactivity of remaining polysaccharides and decrystallisation of cellulose. Cellulose and part of hemicellulose remain in solid fraction after pretreatment. |
| Level of commercial application | Commercial scale for production of paper pulp (Kraft process) |
| Important pilots and EU projects | EU Biosynergy, |
| Expected Developments |
| Current Technology Readiness Level | Level 7, Integrated pilot system demonstrated |
| Expected Technology Readiness Level in 2030 | Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment |
| Justify expected Level in 2030 |
| References: |
| http://biofuels.dupont.com/cellulosic-ethanol/ |
TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
| Lignin | (tonnes/hour) 2.9 |
| Conversion efficiencies: net returns biofuels and biobased products(kg/kg dry biomass input) | typical: 0.35 | min: 0.2 | max: 0.6 | typical in 2020: | typical in 2030: |
| Hemicellulose | (tonnes/hour) 8.0 |
| Conversion efficiencies: net returns biofuels and biobased products(kg/kg dry biomass input) | typical: 0.85 | min: 0.6 | max: 0.90 | typical in 2020: | typical in 2030: |
| Cellulose | (tonnes/hour) 13.4 |
| Conversion efficiencies: net returns biofuels and biobased products(kg/kg dry biomass input) | typical: 0.95 | min: 0.85 | max: 0.99 | typical in 2020: | typical in 2030: |
| Data sources used to define conversion efficiencies in 2014: |
| EU Biosynergy project |
| Sodium hydroxide | (kg/hour): 3857 |
| Indication: experience based data | Yes |
| Number of possible full load hours per year (hours) | 7000 |
| Number of typical full load hours per year (hours) | 7000 |
| Typical Lifetime of Equipment (years) |
| Data sources used to define conversion efficiencies in 2020: |
| estimations |
| Data sources used to define conversion efficiencies in 2030: |
| |
| General data sources for technical properties: |
| estimated input 300 kton biomass/y |
BIOMASS INPUT SPECIFICATIONS
| Biomass input, common for the technology used: | Cereals straw, Straw/stubbles; Maize stover, Straw/stubbles; |
| Biomass input, technically possible but not common: | Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from final fellings & thinnings; Miscanthus (Perennial grass), Energy grasses, annual & perennial crops; Switchgrass (Perennial grass), Energy grasses, annual & perennial crops; |
| Traded form | Chopped straw or energy grass |
| Dimensions | length (mm) |
| Moisture content | (% wet basis) typical 10 | max 20 |
| Minimal bulk density | (kg/m3, wet basis) |
| Maximum ash content | (% dry basis) 7 |
| Minimal ash melting point (= initial deformation temperature) | (°C) |
| Volatile matter (only for thermally trated material, torrefied or steam explosed) | (VM%) |
| Maximum allowable contents |
| Nitrogen, N (wt%, dry) | Sulphur, S (wt%, dry) | Chlorine, Cl (wt%, dry) |
| Optional attributes |
| Net caloric value | (MJ/kg) min | max |
| Gross caloric value | (MJ/kg) min | max |
| Biogas yield | (m3 gas/ton dry biomass) | % methane |
| Cellulose content | (g/kg dry matter) min 330 | max 350 |
| Hemicellulose content | (g/kg dry matter) min 220 | max 240 |
| Lignin content | (g/kg dry matter) min 190 | max 210 |
| Crude fibre content | (g/kg dry matter) min | max |
| Starch content | (g/kg dry matter) min | max |
| Sugar content | (g/kg dry matter) min | max |
| Fat content | (g/kg dry matter) min | max |
| Protein content | (g/kg dry matter) min | max |
| Acetyl group content | (g/kg dry matter) min | max |
FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROPERTIES
| Investments costs | in 2014 (€): 50000000 | expected in 2020 (€): | expected in 2030 (€): |
| Labour needed | Operators (FTE): 40 | Staff and engineering (FTE): 10 |
| Edited by: Paulien Harmsen, Tijs Lammens |