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

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View details of Fast pyrolysis + Boiler for heat, value chain example

GENERAL PROPERTIES
Name Fast pyrolysis + Boiler for heat, value chain example
Main category Fast pyrolysis
Subcategory Pyrolysis plus boiler for heat and steam
Image url
Year of first implementation 2014
Estimated number of systems in operation 3
Main operating principle:
This entry is an example of a value chain consisting of a pyrolysis plant that produces pyrolysis oil from wood chips, which is then shipped to another plant that converts the pyrolysis oil into bio-energy, for example for a district heating system. The entry is a combination of entries 23 and 38: 'wood chips to pyrolysis oil' and 'pyrolysis oil to heat', on the basis of 8.6 t/hr fresh biomass input. Conservatively a scaling factor of 1 was assumed for the boiler sizing (size x2.6), compared to entry 38.

Level of commercial application
Important pilots and EU projects
Expected Developments
Current Technology Readiness Level Level 8, System integrated in commercial design
Expected Technology Readiness Level in 2030 Level 9, System ready for full scale deployment
Justify expected Level in 2030
References:




TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
Capacity of outputs (typical values)
Power                      (MWe) 0.53
Conversion efficiencies: net returns electricity(GJ/GJ biomass input) typical: 0.022 min: max:   typical in 2020: 0.02 typical in 2030: 0.019  

Heat                      (MWth) 19.6
Conversion efficiencies: net returns heat(GJ/GJ biomass input) typical: 0.815 min: 0.72 max: 0.9   typical in 2020: 0.9 typical in 2030: 0.9  


Data sources used to define conversion efficiencies in 2014:


External inputs (not generated by the biomass in the conversion process)
Natural gas     (GJ/hour): 5

Indication: experience based data No

Number of possible full load hours per year (hours) 8000
Number of typical full load hours per year (hours) 7000
Typical Lifetime of Equipment (years) 25
Data sources used to define conversion efficiencies in 2020:


Data sources used to define conversion efficiencies in 2030:


General data sources for technical properties:



BIOMASS INPUT SPECIFICATIONS
Biomass input, common for the technology used:    Residues from further woodprocessing, Other wood processing industry residues;  Stemwood from thinnings originating from nonconifer trees, Stemwood from final fellings & thinnings;  Stemwood from thinnings originating from conifer trees, Stemwood from final fellings & thinnings;   
Biomass input, technically possible but not common:           
           
Traded form Wood chips
Dimensions P45: 3,15 mm < P < 45 mm     Fine fraction F30: < 30 %

Moisture content (% wet basis) typical 45 max 55
Minimal bulk density (kg/m3, wet basis) 100
Maximum ash content (% dry basis) 3
Minimal ash melting point (= initial deformation temperature) (°C) 850
Volatile matter (only for thermally trated material, torrefied or steam explosed) (VM%)

Maximum allowable contents
Nitrogen, N (wt%, dry) 2.5 Sulphur, S (wt%, dry) Chlorine, Cl (wt%, dry) 0.3
Optional attributes
Net caloric value (MJ/kg) min 8 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 (€): 16000000 expected in 2020 (€): 16000000 expected in 2030 (€): 14200000
Labour needed Operators (FTE): 7 Staff and engineering (FTE): 2

Edited by: Tijs Lammens