module 5: utilization of biomass

Module 5: Utilization of Biomass

Objectives• To be able to identify the woody biomass properties

influencing utilization

• To be able to identify the three main conversion processes: bio-chemical, thermo-chemical and fiber composite manufacturing

• To be able to identify and discuss the three general product types obtained from woody biomass conversion: energy, transportation fuel, and industrial products


Outline• Introduction• Overview• Wood processing residue• Properties influencing utilization• Conversion processes• Products• Energy Content• Ash Management

Introduction

Research and innovation is showing that the uses of woody biomass are only limited by

our imagination.


Utilization Overview


Uses and ProductsTransportation Fuel

EnergyBio-based Products

Conversion ProcessesBio-chemical

ThermochemicalFiber Composite Manufacturing

Woody Biomass FeedstockLogging Residue

Wood Processing ResidueOther

Logging Residue

• Unconsolidated

• Comminuted

• Bundled


Wood Processing Residue

• Black Liquor

• Sawdust

• Bark


Other Sources of Woody Biomass• Energy plantations

• Construction waste


Properties Influencing Utilization

• Wood composition

• Moisture content


Wood composition

• Cellulose• Hemicellulose• Lignin• Minerals


Cellulose

• Nearly half woody biomass

• Abundant• Processed into

products


Hemicellulose

• 25%-35%• Abundant• Limited Use• Expensive


Lignin

• Glue like substance• 15%-25%• Chemically complex


Principal Elements

• Principal elements– Carbon– Hydrogen– Oxygen


Other Mineral Elements

• Nitrogen

• Sulfur

• Chlorine

• Heavy metals


Moisture Content

• Wet vs dry biomass• Impacts conversion

process• Drier = Higher Energy


Conversion Processes

• Bio-chemical• Thermochemical• Fiber Composite Manufacturing


Biorefinery Concept


Bio-chemical

• Aerobic digestion

• Anaerobic digestion

• Fermentation


Aerobic Digestion


Anaerobic Digestion


Fermentation


Thermochemical• Combustion

• Gasification

• Pyrolysis

• Liquefaction

• Hydrothermal Upgrading Process

• Fischer-Tropsch


Combustion


Gasification


Pyrolysis


Liquefaction

• Minutes vs Eons • High pressure• High Temperature• Increases H to C ratio


Hydrothermal Upgrading Process


Fischer-Tropsch

• Germany

• Early 20th Century

• Complex Process

• Multiple products

• Multiple conversion processes


Fiber Composite Manufacturing

• Strength

• Density

• Cost effective

• Ex. OSB, Glulam, Ceramicrete


Products

• Energy• Transportation Fuels• Industrial Products


US Energy Supply (data for 2003)

Coal 23%

Petroleum 39% Renewable 6%

Natural Gas 24%Nuclear 8%

Wind 2%

Biomass 46%

Hydroelectric 46%

Geothermal 5%

Solar <1%Source: AEO 2004 tables (released in December 2003) based on US energy consumption. Overall breakdown Table A1 (Total Energy Supply and Disposition), and Renewable breakdown Table A18 (Renewable Energy, Consumption by Section and Source). Slide courtesy Mile Pacheco, NREL, US-DOE.


Liquid Transportation Fuel

• Ethanol

• Methanol

• Biodiesel


Ethanol

• In 2005, ethanol displaced 170 million barrels of oil.• In 2005, ethanol lowered consumer gas prices by 8 cents

per gallon.• In 2005, industry produced 4 billion gallons of ethanol.• In 2005, ethanol reduced green house gases by 8 million

tons.• Beginning in 2007, Indy 500 cars will run on ethanol.• By 2012, ethanol may displace more than 2 billion barrels

of oil.


Industrial Products

• Chemicals

• Bio-based products


Chemicals

• Bio-based Acids

• Bio-based Oils

• Specialty Chemicals


Biobased Acids

• Acetic acid• Fatty acids • Lactic acids


Biobased Oils

• Raw liquefaction oil

• Pyrolytic bio-oil


Specialty Chemicals

• Enzymes

• 3-HP

• Syngas

• Butanol

• Glycerin


Biobased Products

• Pellets

• Char

• Glass Aggregates

• Polymers

• Anaerobic Digestion Effluent

• Bioplastics


Pellets

• Uniform

• Easy to handle

• Easy to transport

• Burn efficiently

• Large market


Char

• Solid• Usable byproduct

– Energy– Filtration– Fertilizer


Ash Content

• Origin– Minerals in the woody

biomass

– Soil contamination

• Properties– Species

– Part of tree

– Type of waste

– Combination with other fuels

– Soil and climate

– Conditions of combustion


Ash Management

• Improves physical and chemical properties

• Improves growing conditions for vegetation

• Raises pH in acidic soils

• Corrects nutrient deficiencies


Ash Recycling

• Customize Product– Add select elements

– Change physical properties

• Spread by ground or air


Credits: Photo and Graphics

Slide 5: Bob Rummer, USDA FS; Rien Visser, VT; John Deere Slide 6: Corbis Corporation; Department of EnergySlide 7: M.Ostry, Oregon State University; D. Moorehead, Forestry Images,

www.forestryimages.netSlide 10: Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State UniversitySlide 11: Hasan Jameel, North Carolina State UniversitySlide 12: Thorsten Dittmar, Florida State UniversitySlide 15: Corbis CorporationSlide 16: Daniel Cassidy, USDA CSREESSlide 17: US Department of EnergySlide 26: www.walkinginla.comSlide 29: J.P. Bond, University of GeorgiaSlide 31: US Department of Energy


http://www.forestryimages.net/

http://www.walkinginla.com/

Dr. David Gingrich

Slide 37: Colgin, www.colgin.com

Slide 38: Advanced Energy Research Corporation

Slide 40: North Energy Associates, LTD.

Slide 41: Corbis Corporation

Slide 43: W.D. Weiprecht

Credits: Photo and Graphics


module 5: utilization of biomass

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