Pyrolysis to be assessed in UK biomass pre-processing programme
The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has selected consultancy E4tech to lead a consortium that will deliver the latest project in its bioenergy programme – a techno-economic assessment of biomass pre-processing. This 11 month project will provide an assessment of the economic and performance trade-offs associated with pre-processing options, and the value they provide compared with more conventional technology improvement approaches. Pre-processing technologies assessed will include drying, blending, chipping, pelleting, torrefaction and pyrolysis, amongst others. Using process modelling and sensitivity analysis, the project will compare different bioenergy system approaches with, and without, pre-processing steps between feedstock production and an energy conversion plant. The analysis will use feedstock data from a parallel ETI project that is characterising feedstocks grown in the UK. The consortium for this project includes ICON, the consulting arm of Imperial College London, PSE, a supplier of Advanced Process Modelling Technology, CMCL innovations, software developers and consultants for the engineering & technology sector, engineering consultancy Black & Veatch, as well as bioenergy experts at the University of Sheffield. Dr Geraint Evans, programme manager for Bioenergy at the ETI, said: “We are seeking to further develop our understanding of how to optimise bioenergy value chains at a system level and this requires an understanding of when pre-processing adds and doesn’t add value.” Dr Ausilio Bauen, Director at E4tech added: “We have worked with ETI previously on their Biomass to Power with CCS and Biomass Systems Value Chain Modelling projects. This new project will make an important additional contribution to ETI’s work on understanding where future opportunities and value lie in the bioenergy system.” ### Read more 8.8 MW biomass waste to energy plant set for the Philippines Velmet to supply 68 MW biomass and wood waste to energy plant in Finland Power purchase agreements signed for two biomass plants