Post on 31-Mar-2015
Bioenergy Research GroupBioenergy Research Group 1
Aston University Bioenergy Research Group(BERG)
Dr Daniel J. Nowakowski pp. Prof. Anthony V. Bridgwater
NEPIC Innovation DayRamside Hall Hotel – Carrville, County Durham, 15.11.2011
Bioenergy Research GroupBioenergy Research Group2
Objective of BERG
● To apply chemical engineering science and technology to help provide sufficient energy, fuels and chemicals from renewable and sustainable resources for the needs of today and tomorrow.
Bioenergy Research GroupBioenergy Research Group3
Achievements● International leader in thermal biomass conversion
research● Funding of more than £22 million● Operational since 1979● Collaborators in 33 countries● Partners in 14 countries
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Bioenergy Research Group
BERGscope and activities
Electricity, Heat
Chemicals
Synthesis Refine
Biofuels
Biomass production & processing
Thermal conversion
Processing
Integrated bioenergy system
Prepare and pretreat
BiorefineryProducts & Markets
Wood, Energy crops, Residues, Wastes
Pyrolyse
System
UpgradeRefine
Biological conversion
Hydrolyse Ferment
Gasify
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Bioenergy Research GroupBioenergy Research Group5
Focus● The main focus of our research is fast pyrolysis● This is an advanced thermal process that produces up to
75% wt. liquid (bio-oil) from biomass with some byproduct char and gas
● The liquid can be used for:● Power generation in engines and turbines
● Heat in boilers and co-firing
● Chemicals directly or via upgrading and separation
● Energy carrier to reduce handling & storage of biomass
● Biofuels by upgrading
Bioenergy Research Group
5-7 kg/h fast pyrolysis fluid bed
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Continuous bubbling fluid bed with full computer control
Liquid collection by quench and ESP
Gas recycle for fluidisation
Bioenergy Research Group
1 kg/h fast pyrolysis fluid bed
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Bioenergy Research Group
100 and 300 g/h fluid bed
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4 continuous fluid beds : 100 g/h to 5-7 kg/h 2 continuous ablative reactors : 4kg/h and ~20kg/h, Hot vapour filter Microwave micro-reactor, Synthesis micro-reactor TGA and Py-GC-MS/FID
Bioenergy Research Group
20 kg/h ablative pyrolysis reactor
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Biomass in
Vapours out
Char out
Heat
HeatHeat
Heat
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Results
• Three phase chart for blends with bio-butanol
• Initial Newtonian behaviour
• Long term stability pending
Bio-oil blends with bio-diesel
Bioenergy Research GroupBioenergy Research Group11
Other facilitiesMicro-reactors● CDS high pressure and catalyst
reactor system● Microwave● Pressurised synthesis and upgrading reactor● Autoclave
Analysis and characterisation● Extensive facilities for analysis and characterisation of:
● feedstocks
● intermediates
● products
Bioenergy Research GroupBioenergy Research Group12
Our contributions to fast pyrolysis● Biomass pretreatment and preparation● Fast pyrolysis in fluid beds (4 units) and ablative (2 units)● Reactor design and modelling● Analytical pyrolysis● Catalytic pyrolysis● Liquid collection and upgrading● Extensive liquid analysis and characterisation facilities● Chemicals recovery and refining● Nitrogenolysis for fertiliser production● Biofuel production by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, zeolites
and hydrotreating upgrading of fast pyrolysis products● Technical and economic assessment of bioenergy chains
for electricity, biofuels, chemicals, biorefineries
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Bioenergy chain
Biomass Preparation & Pretreatment
Thermal conversionCombustion, Gasification,
Pyrolysis
Power & heat generation
Biofuel production & refining
Power
Heat
Biofuels
ChemicalsChemicals production
Products
Biofuel chain
Bioenergy Research Group
Biofuel chains
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Gasoline, diesel, kerosene, SNG
Refining
Methanol synthesis
MTG , MOGD, TigasMt-Synfuels
Syngas
Liquid bio-oil
Biomass
Gasification Zeolitecracking
Hydro-treating
FischerTropsch
synthesis
Bio-oil
Fast pyrolysis
Utilities
Bioenergy Research Group
Fertilisers
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Nitrogenolysis to Slow Release
Fertiliser
Pyrolysis
Bio-oil
Gasification
Biomass as energy crops or residues
Ammonia synthesis External fertiliser
applications
Nitrogen source
Fuel cell
Ammonia based hydrogen storage
Fertiliser production
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Esters from bio-oil
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Distillation product after esterification with
WD catalyst
Raw bio-oil
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1 Resources
Marine biomass
6 Systems analysis
SUPERGEN Bioenergy II
7 Innovation
2 Characterisation& Pretreatment
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Newsletter
Website
Bioenergy Research
Forum
Showcase
Nitrogen3 Thermalconversion
4 Power & Heat5 Biofuels &
Biorefinery
Ammonia
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Process modelling● Processes are being modelled in terms of:
● Performance● Capital cost; Product cost● Environment; Socio-economics
● Variability is considered in terms of:● Scale ● Uncertainty; Learning● Process design; System design
● Objectives include:● Impact of pyrolysis as pretreatment method● Process route to hydrocarbons● Integration with refineries● Fertiliser production as Ammonia and Slow release
fertiliser
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Process model – 3252 processes
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European Bioenergy Research Institute
● BERG is a founder member of EBRI – the European Bioenergy Research Institute
● EBRI will create a unique platform for the development and implementation of bioenergy systems in local, national and European contexts as well as reaching for International community
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www.aston-berg.co.uk