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 Syngas to methanol
| Name | Syngas to methanol |
| Main category | Syngas platform |
| Subcategory | Fluidised bed gasification for methanol production |
| Image url |
| Year of first implementation |
| Estimated number of systems in operation | 0 |
| Main operating principle: |
| Syngas production: Biomass is gasified at pressurised CFB gasifier operated at ca. 5 bar and 900 degrees C. Product gas is cooled to 550 degrees C, filtered and led into catalytic reformer where tars and hydrocarbon gases are reformed. Then product gas is cleaned, conditioned and pressurised to fuel synthesis. For 2020, a target case is assumed based on hot-filtration of dusty tar-laden product gas at the gasifier's outlet temperature without prior cooling. For 2030, another target case is assumed, again based on hot-filtration of dusty tar-laden product gas at the gasifier's outlet temperature without prior cooling, including gasification taking place at 22 bar. //// Methanol synthesis: The synthesis of methanol takes place within a quasi-isothermal (around 250 degrees C) reactor technology at 80 bar. The produced methanol will then be purified via a two-stage separation approach based on distillation. |
| Level of commercial application | Demonstrated at pilot scale |
| Important pilots and EU projects | VTT pilot plant |
| 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 | Further development on-going |
| References: |
| VTT Technology 91, 2013 Hannula, Ilkka; & Kurkela, Esa. 2013. Liquid transportation fuels via large-scale fluidised-bed gasification of lignocellulosic biomass. Espoo, VTT. |
TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
| Heat | (MWth) 45 |
| Conversion efficiencies: net returns heat(GJ/GJ biomass input) | typical: 0.15 | min: 0.10 | max: 0.20 | typical in 2020: 0.10 | typical in 2030: 0.20 |
| Methanol | (m3/hour) 41.8 LHV (GJ / m3) 15.7 |
| Conversion efficiencies: net returns biofuels and biobased products(GJ/GJ biomass input) | typical: 0.6 | min: 0.55 | max: 0.67 | typical in 2020: 0.65 | typical in 2030: 0.55 |
| Data sources used to define conversion efficiencies in 2014: |
| VTT Technology 91, 2013 Hannula, Ilkka; & Kurkela, Esa. 2013. Liquid transportation fuels via large-scale fluidised-bed gasification of lignocellulosic biomass. Espoo, VTT. |
| Power | (kW): 5000 |
| Indication: experience based data | No |
| Number of possible full load hours per year (hours) | 8500 |
| Number of typical full load hours per year (hours) | 8000 |
| Typical Lifetime of Equipment (years) | 40 |
| Data sources used to define conversion efficiencies in 2020: |
| VTT Technology 91, 2013 Hannula, Ilkka; & Kurkela, Esa. 2013. Liquid transportation fuels via large-scale fluidised-bed gasification of lignocellulosic biomass. Espoo, VTT. |
| Data sources used to define conversion efficiencies in 2030: |
| VTT Technology 91, 2013 Hannula, Ilkka; & Kurkela, Esa. 2013. Liquid transportation fuels via large-scale fluidised-bed gasification of lignocellulosic biomass. Espoo, VTT. |
| General data sources for technical properties: |
| VTT Technology 91, 2013 Hannula, Ilkka; & Kurkela, Esa. 2013. Liquid transportation fuels via large-scale fluidised-bed gasification of lignocellulosic biomass. Espoo, VTT. |
BIOMASS INPUT SPECIFICATIONS
| Biomass input, common for the technology used: | Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from final fellings & thinnings; Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees, Stemwood from final fellings & thinnings; Bark residues from pulp and paper industry, Secondary residues from pulp and paper industry; Residues from further woodprocessing, Other wood processing industry residues; Non hazardous post consumer wood, Post consumer wood; |
| Biomass input, technically possible but not common: | |
| Traded form | Wood chips |
| Dimensions | P31S: 3,15 mm < P < 31,5 mm | Fine fraction F25: < 25 % |
| Moisture content | (% wet basis) typical 15 | max 25 |
| Minimal bulk density | (kg/m3, wet basis) 120 |
| Maximum ash content | (% dry basis) 3 |
| Minimal ash melting point (= initial deformation temperature) | (°C) 1000 |
| Volatile matter (only for thermally trated material, torrefied or steam explosed) | (VM%) |
| Maximum allowable contents |
| Nitrogen, N (wt%, dry) 1 | Sulphur, S (wt%, dry) 0.1 | Chlorine, Cl (wt%, dry) 0.05 |
| 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 | max |
| Hemicellulose content | (g/kg dry matter) min | max |
| Lignin content | (g/kg dry matter) min | max |
| 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 (€): 350000000 | expected in 2020 (€): 345000000 | expected in 2030 (€): 340000000 |
| Labour needed | Operators (FTE): 25 | Staff and engineering (FTE): 20 |
| Edited by: Hamid Mozaffarian, Tijs Lammens |