Vattenfall supports ECN in upscaling torrefaction technology

New technology converts biomass into high-quality fuel   The Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) and Vattenfall recently agreed on a partnership for upscaling ECN’s BO₂- technology. This marks an important step towards the commercial application of ECN’s BO ₂-technology for upgrading biomass into high-quality solid fuel.

The BO₂ technology consists of a combination of heat treatment (torrefaction) and densification into pellets or briquettes made of biomass. With this technology, a great diversity of biomass (such as wood cuttings and agricultural residues) can be upgraded into high-quality solid biofuels. In recent years the technology has been extensively tested on a pilot scale at ECN. A larger-scale demonstration is the logical next step towards commercial application.

BO₂ technology
The BO₂ technology combines a patented torrefaction technology with a pelletising or briquetting process. Torrefaction involves heating biomass in the absence of oxygen to a temperature of 200 to 300 °C, a principle that has been applied for centuries for roasting coffee beans. When applied to biomass, torrefaction changes the properties of the material in such a manner that it becomes easier to grind. The occurrence of spontaneous heating and biological degradation is also entirely or almost entirely eliminated, thus permitting outdoor storage. Subsequent densification of the material results in an attractive standardised solid sustainable fuel with a high energy density that is suitable for long-distance transport and co-firing in coal-fired power stations.
Upgrading biomass via torrefaction is therefore seen by the EU as one of the key technologies for achieving the 2020 CO₂ emission reduction and renewable energy objectives.

ECN
Since 2003 ECN has played a pioneering role in the development of torrefaction technology. Extensive research on a laboratory and pilot scale (50-100 kg/h) culminated in the BO₂ technology, which is characterised by a robust compact reactor design, a high conversion efficiency (the solid biofuel contains more than 90% of the energy of the original biomass), low costs, no waste streams and a manageable high product quality. ECN recently demonstrated the effectiveness of the technology by achieving 100 hours of stable continuous operation on a pilot scale.

Vattenfall
Vattenfall is interested in ECN’s torrefaction technology from a strategic perspective to achieve its CO₂ and sustainability ambitions. Vattenfall is one of the biggest European players in biomass and foresees an even greater role for biomass in its future energy portfolio. Vattenfall is continuing to monitor other technologies, but sees ECN’s BO₂ technology as one of the most promising technologies for biomass pre-processing. Vattenfall has committed to supporting ECN in the further development of this technology, and will also contribute knowledge regarding the required end product quality for application in diverse types of coal-fired power stations, including coal gasification. Vattenfall makes a technical design of the specifications of the demonstration plant. It is in Vattenfall’s interest that the development of the torrefaction technology corresponds with the production process.


BO₂-pellets

Note for the editors
For more information, you can contact:
ECN:
Jaap Kiel, biomass and coal programme leader
Telephone 0224-56 4590
Email: kiel@remove-this-part-ecn.nl

Nuon/Vattenfall:
Mediarelations Nuon/Vattenfall: +31 20-597 42 00.

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