TORBED process reactor technologies
Torftech*TORBED is a registered trade mark of Mortimer Technology Holdings Ltd
*
ENERGY PRODUCTS FROM WOOD WASTE
A PRESENTATION TO TAPPI EPE CONFERENCE MEMPHIS TN
OCTOBER 14th 2009
The TORROIDAL Fluidized Bed Reactor process technology
comprises two generic types:
•Compact Bed Reactor (CBR)
•Expanded Bed Reactor (EBR)
Reactor Process Characteristics
Fast and precise process giving consistent product
Handles widely graded and irregularly shaped
particles
Low pressure drop allowing easy process gas
recirculation
Rapid start-up and program change
Small size with easy installation
Simple to operate and easy to automate
Co-current heat transfer
Comparison of various gas/solidreactor technologies
Increasing Expansion
Incr
easi
ng V
eloc
ity
Mean Gas Velocity
Slip Velocity
Mean SolidsVelocity
Gas FlowSolids Flow
ClassicalFluidised Bed
Bubbling
Fast Transport Reactor
CompactTORBEDReactor
ExpandedTORBEDReactor
R Recycle Ratio
Limits forCoventional and
TORBED Reactors
0 < R < 1 1 < R < 10 R > 100 < R < 1 0 < R < 1
Increasing Expansion
Incr
easi
ng V
eloc
ity
Mean Gas Velocity
Slip Velocity
Mean SolidsVelocity
Gas FlowSolids Flow
ClassicalFluidised Bed
Bubbling
Fast Transport Reactor
CompactTORBEDReactor
ExpandedTORBEDReactor
R Recycle Ratio
Limits forCoventional and
TORBED Reactors
0 < R < 1 1 < R < 10 R > 100 < R < 1 0 < R < 1
Since the invention of the initial Gas Solids Contactor concept in 1981 as an exfoliator for Vermiculite, more than 150 commercial plants have been installed around the world for applications as diverse as..
Production of industrial minerals
Combustion and gasification of wood waste
Regeneration of catalysts
Scrubbing of smelter exhaust gases
Management of Paper mill sludge
Production of low fat snacks
The largest reactors are the 20 gas scrubbersinstalled in two of the Comalco aluminium smelters in New Zealand and Tasmania..
These EBRs are 6m in internal diameter Expanded Bed Reactors utilising alumina to scrub HFemitted from the smelting pots
ENERGY APPLICATIONS
• DRYING: Many wood waste resources have high moisture content (~50%). Drying improves their properties as an energy resource.
• COMBUSTION: The technology is well suited to combust fine materials or materials with diverse sizes
• GASIFICATION: The technology is a very efficient gasifier which can offer high turn-down ratios and which can be used effectively in quite small scale applications
• TORREFACTION: This process “roasts” wood feed to yield a hydrophobic product with increased energy density
Combustion of wood wastes is commercially applied in Holland
The 1.5m diameter unit shown here is one of two reactors that produce 3MWth each from municipal wood waste. The hot products of combustion are used directly in a drying kiln
.
.
1 t/h EBR Waste Wood Gasifier Generating a Fuel Gas for use in an
Industrial Rotary Drier1.0 m EBR
.
.
TORREFACTION OF BIOMASS
• Torrefaction or Roasting of Biomass, produces a Brittle Hydrophobic Material with Higher Calorific Value than the Biomass Feed
• Typical Yields from a Biomass Feed on a Dry Weight Basis 80-85% of Feed Mass containing 90-93% of Feed Energy
.
.
Wood ChipsGrassStrawRice husks
Pulverized,Torrefied Wood
250 – 350°C
Atmospheric Pressure;
Reducing Environment
Torrefaction
Torrefied Wood Pellets
TORREFACTION OF BIOMASS
.
.
TORREFACTION (ROASTING) OF WOOD WASTE
WOOD ChipsT4500DRYER
Tri-RingT3500
DEVOLATILIZER & TORRIFIER
To Steam Boiler
T2500COMBUSTOR
Volatiles
Torrefied Wood
18 t/h
Exhaust Steam & Air
8 t/h
Dried Wood Chips
.
.
18 m18 m60’
60’
Torrefaction Plant to be Installed in the Netherlands:
Capacity 80,000 tonnes/year torrefied product
Construction start scheduled for early 2010
Product destined for power plant in Germany
Wood Chips Moisture Fed To Torrefier 10% (Pre dried from 40% Moisture)
T3500 Tri-RingTorrefier
T2500Combustor
TORREFACTION PLANT LAYOUT