Pyrolysis oil from sustainable sources of biomass is a potential source of low-cost fuels with low system greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, if it could be integrated into the existing transport fuel supply chain. However, the properties of the oil produced from current fast pyrolysis processes are unsuitable for direct integration. The Pyrolysis Challenge has the objective of producing oil with the properties required for integration through:
a) modifying the pyrolysis process to produce better quality oil directly, or
b) upgrading the oil before or at the refinery.
The expected outcomes of the project are:
- proof of scientific and engineering principle for a novel process for low-cost and low GHG intensity production and/or upgrading of biomass pyrolysis oil
- complete characterisation of the upgraded oil, including details of processes and the impact of different feedstocks
- an assessment of the likely commercial and environmental value of any associated co-products, and processes for their exploitation
- development of a large lab-scale or small industrial demonstration unit (capable of delivering cubic meters of refinery-grade pyrolysis oil)
- modeling of the full-scale process economics, whole system GHG intensity and key technical parameters (e.g. catalyst lifetime).
We called for Expressions of Interest in spring 2008 and received 24 bids. Four of these bids were progressed to the full proposal stage. After review of the full proposals, three consortia have been progressed to commercial negotiation and technical due diligence. The details of these three consortia can be found below:
Lead organisation: Axion Consulting Contact: Roger Morton, RMorton@axionconsulting.co.uk
Partner organisations: Biffa, Conversion & Resource Evaluation, Biomass Engineering, Oxford Catalysts, Greenergy International, Catal, Carbolea Research Group, Aquafuels, Enviros, University of Limerick (Ireland), Lund University (Sweden), SEKAB (Sweden) and DeSmet Ballestra, (Italy).
Proposed work: Feedstock sourced from common organic waste streams will first be pre-treated by a range of size reduction techniques, hydrolysed and fermented to produce ethanol (from the primary cellulose fractions) and a lignin-rich residue. This residue, which will have reduced oxygen content, will then be pyrolysed to oil in a gas phase fluid-bed pyrolysis unit. The resulting pyrolysis oil will be upgraded by water removal, a range of catalytic treatments for the esterification of acids, and partial hydrogenation. The properties of the resulting intermediate will be adjusted by additives to meet the requirements for blending into EN590 diesel.
Lead Organisation: Centre for Process Innovation (CPI)
Contact: Dr Graham Hillier, Graham.Hillier@uk-cpi.com
Partner organisations: Johnson Matthey, Sonhoe Energy Holdings, North East Biofuels, Graphite Resources, Tees Energy, Wilton Engineering Services, Wellman International, Imperial College, University of Teesside, Newcastle University, Aston University
Proposed work: The consortium aims to produce fuels from biomass by upgrading pyrolysis oils so they can be integrated into refinery operations. A range of separation and catalytic processes will be investigated and tested at laboratory and pilot plant scales using several biomass sources. The project includes engineering, economic and systems engineering studies to optimise economic and greenhouse gas performance. The programme is designed to produce knowledge and hard data to underpin future scale-up and commercialisation.
Lead Organisation: York Green Chemistry Centre Contact: Dr Ashley Wilson, ajw7@york.ac.uk
Partner organisations: University of Leeds, Rotawave, Brocklesby Double-Green, Drax Power, UK Coal (Harworth Estates), Northern Foods and Renewable Energy Growers, and Conoco Phillips (Immingham).
Proposed work: York has demonstrated highly controllable low temperature, microwave-activated pyrolysis process at the laboratory scale. Rotawave will build a semi-scale microwave processor in a bespoke demonstrator facility located on an ex UK Coal site south of York. The new facility will be used to evaluate the effect of both physical processing parameters and chemical characteristics of the feedstock, on the properties of the resulting oil. The most promising oils will be evaluated for addition to process flows in a conventional oil refinery and for blending with biodiesel.
If you have any queries please email directed.research@carbontrust.co.uk
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