BioEndev's Torrefaction Pilot Plant Inaugurated
BioEndev's unique torrefaction pilot plant in Umeå has been inaugurated. At the same time, a symbolic sod-turning ceremony took place for the recently approved torrefaction demonstration plant, which will be located in Holmsund, just outside of Umeå, Sweden.
Torrefaction is a very promising method for roasting biomass, such as industrial by-products, branches, tops, and thinned and cleared timber not used for pulp production.
The biomass is roasted at 250 to 350°C in an oxygen-free environment, becoming a "green coal," much like a modern charcoal stack. The result is a dry product with a higher energy content that is resistant to biological activity, such as rotting. It can easily be ground into powder for dust firing and can also be pressed into pellets or briquettes. This lowers emissions and reduces costs, making transports more efficient. The torrefied material is hydrophobic (meaning it repels water) and can be stored uncovered and outdoors.
The new and improved pilot will have a production capacity of 160 kg TS per hour, resulting in close to 4 tonnes TS of torrefied material per day.
"Based on the findings from the previous pilot, around ten innovative technical solutions were patented and these have all been incorporated into the new plant. Greater capacity was also required to develop the full potential of the torrefied material regarding compaction and the subsequent gasification and combustion tests. We also needed to develop some cooling technologies and to find a less expensive reactor solution. As a result, the new pilot is larger and the heating occurs inside the drum instead of externally. This makes the pilot an ideal stepping-stone to the full-scale demonstration plant that has now been approved", says Ingemar Olofsson, project manager and part owner of BioEndev.
The plant will primarily be used as a demonstration facility, but will be operated as a continuous production plant. The unit is designed to produce 2 tonnes TS of pellets from torrefied material per hour, i.e. 16,000 tonnes annually. The entire investment is budgeted at SEK 50 million, and the main financiers are the Swedish Energy Agency, Umeå Energi and SCA.
Photo: Plant in Holmsund outside Umeå. From left Ingemar Olofsson, BioEndev, Göran Ernstson, Umeå Energi, Lennart Holmlund, Umeå municipality, Elvy Söderström, Örnsköldsviks municipality, and Anders Nordin, BioEndev.
BioEndev AB is a world leader within this important niche for sustainable future technology. The company has its roots in research conducted at Umeå University, in the research environment Bio4Energy. The torrefaction pilot has been funded by BioEndev and SP Processum.