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Energy and Fuels

from Biomass and Waste

Prof.dr.ir. Gerrit Brem

Energy Technology

Onderzoeksdag KIVI NIRIA, 19th of May 2011, Enschede

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Biomass Research at University of Twente

Faculty of Engineering

Faculty of Science

Faculty of Management and Governance

Biomass is spearhead of UT!

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Energy Technology group

Faculty of Engineering

Since 2000 (2009)

15 fte staff, PhD and post-docs

Academic and industrial network

Well-equipped laboratory

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Laboratory “Kleinhorst”

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Energy Technology group

Combustion of solid fuels

“Energy from biomass and waste”

Production of sustainable fuels (liquid, gas and solid)

“Fuels from biomass and waste”

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Combustion of solid fuels

Coal fired power plants

“biomass co-firing”

Waste combustion

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Co-firing of biomass in power plants (combustion)

Focus on:

Boilers with Ultra Supercritical steam conditions

High ratio of biomass co-firing

Slagging and fouling mechanisms

Development of modelling tools

Sponsors: TSA, KEMA

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Co-firing of biomass in power plants (combustion)

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Co-firing of biomass in power plants (fouling)

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BioOxyfuel

Torrefied Biomass Combustion under Oxy-fuel Conditions in Coal Fired Power Plants

Combustion characteristics

Drop Tube Furnace

Sponsors: STW, NVV, TSA, KEMA

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Waste combustion

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Ignition and combustion of waste on a grate

• Ignition by flame radiation

• Self-ignition

• Mathematical modelling

• Reversed combustion concept

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AVI pilot-plant

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Combustion plant

Operator

Waste

Disturbancesby fluctuatingcomposition

Smart Sensor

Heating value+

Fouling rate

Smart sensors for combustion and fouling

Flue gasBoiler

Steam temperatures

Gas concentrations

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Fuel production from Biomass

Flash pyrolysis

Gasification

Torrefaction

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PYROLYSISREACTOR

Biomass

Heat

condenser

Char Separation

Gas

Bio-oil

Char

Flash pyrolysis of biomass

Wood pyrolysis on lab scale - movie

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PyRos pilot-plant with 30 kg/h biomass feed

PYROLYSISREACTOR

Biomass

Heat

condenser

Char Separation

Gas

Bio-oil

Char

Near-future applications for pyrolysis oil

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Algae and scrap tyres

Oil from car tyres Oil from algae

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Gasification in supercritical water

Wet biomass

Process conditions: 600 °C and 300 bar

Production of a hydrogen or methane rich gas

Process integrated reactor

CO2 separation

C

Heat exchanger

supercritical reactor

high P gas/liquid separator

feedstock

600 °C 300 bar

low P gas/liquid separator

Torrefaction

Biomass is wet and bulky

Biomass sources are distributed

Pretreatment required!

Torrefaction process

On-site preparation of biomass by drying, milling and torrefaction (no external energy requirement)

Torrefaction: roasting of biomass at 250°C

• Friable and less fibrous• Hydrophobic• Preserved• Reduced contaminations• Homogeneous• Higher heating value

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OCRI – Bioenergy with provincie Overijssel

Overijssels Centre for Research and Innovation

Grant of 2,5 Meuro

Cooperation with local industries

9 postdocs (UT)

Research projects:

> Catalytic pyrolysis for high-value fuels

> Combustion of pyrolysis oil in gas turbines

> Feedstock engineering

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Thanks for your attention

Prof.dr.ir. G. BremUniversity of TwenteEnergy Technology (CTW)P.O.box 2177500 AE EnschedeThe Netherlands

T: +31 53 489 2561 (2530)M:+31 6 5328 6744

e-mail:  g.brem@utwente.nl www.thw.ctw.utwente.nl