place, date
SECTOR - Production of Solid Sustainable
Energy Carriers from Biomass by Means of
Torrefaction
A European R&D Project funded within the Seventh
Framework Programme by the European Commission
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
1
place, date
Production of Solid Sustainable Energy Carriers by Means of
Torrefaction
TORREFACTION ROADMAP
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
2
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SECTOR in the roadmap of torrefaction
Capacity
Woody
biomass
Time
Proof-ofprinciple
2002
Non-woody
biomass residues
30-200 kg/h
20-50 kton/a
Proof-ofconcept
Prototype
(pilot-scale)
Technical
demonstration
2004
Proof-ofProof-ofprinciple
principle
Proof-of-concept
• Experimentally based process
designs
• Technology identification
• Knowledge base
• Experimental infrastructures
torrefaction
• Economic evaluations full-scale
(study about 30%)
• Set-up pilot phase of
development
5-10 kg/h
2006
2008
Proof-of-concept
Prototype development
(pilot-scale evaluation)
• Pilot plants / prototype technology
• Demo technical feasibility
• Process & product characterisation
(design)
• Economic evaluations full-scale
(preliminary ca. 20%)
• Business plan(s) (technical demo,
semi-commercial)
2010
Prototype
(pilot-scale)
2012
60-200 kton/a
Commercial
role out
2014
Technical
demonstration
Technical demonstration
• Demonstration plants (semicommercial)
• Technical optimisation (refined
design)
• Product applications (logistics &
end-use)
• Economic evaluations full-scale
(definite ca. <10%)
• Business plan(s) (commercial
operation)
2016
2018
Commercial
role out
Commercial role out
• Commercial plants (fulloperation)
• Quality control and assurance
(product)
• Best practice for sustainability
• Product standardisation
• Purchase agreements (from
energy & chemical sector)
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
3
place, date
Production of Solid Sustainable Energy Carriers by Means of
Torrefaction
TORREFACTION CONCEPTS
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
4
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Torrefaction reactor concepts

Existing conversion techniques require different fuel properties

Different reactor types with different process conditions (pressure, temperature, etc.) are on the start
or in development

Future development will show their market potential and technical feasibility

Project SECTOR is centred around four torrefaction technology options (3 pilot scale plants & 1 demo
plant involved)
Reactor technology
European Technology developers & suppliers
Rotary drum
CDS (UK), Torr-Coal (NL), BioEndev (SE), ACB (AT), BIO3D (FR),
Atmosclear (CH), CENER (ES)
Multiple hearth furnace
CMI-NESA (BE)
Screw reactor
Biolake (NL), FoxCoal (NL)
Torbed reactor
Topell (NL)
Moving bed reactor
ECN (NL), Thermya (FR), Bühler (CH)
Belt reactor
Stramproy Green (NL)
source: ECN, Kleinschmidt
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
5
place, date
Torrefaction Technologies within SECTOR
ECN: Moving bed reactor
Characteristics:
• Moving bed torrefaction
• Direct heating using recycled
torrefaction gas
• Recycle boosting of torgas to
compensate for pressure
drop
• Torgas utilization for internal
energy demand
CENER, Umeå University: Rotary drum
reactor
Characteristics:
• Proven technology
• indirectly heated with flue
gas
• Accepts larger particles
Topell: Torbed reactor (full scale demonstration)
Characteristics:
• Cylindrical reactor
• Hot rotating process gas keeps raw material in motion
(creates „bed“ that is formed by biomass itself)
• Quick heat-to-mass transfer
• No moving parts
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
6
place, date
Production of Solid Sustainable Energy Carriers by Means of
Torrefaction
SECTOR - PROJECT
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
7
place, date
project brief

Collaborative project: SECTOR

Project start:
01.01.2012

Finalisation:
30.06.2015

Total budget:
€ 10 Million

Participants:
21 from 9 EU-countries

Coordinator:
DBFZ, Germany
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
8
place, date
a pan European consortium
VTT Jyväskylä and Espoo
Kick-off meeting at ECN
(14-15 February 2012)
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
9
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Production of Solid Sustainable Energy Carriers by Means of
Torrefaction
OBJECTIVES
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
10
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SECTOR objectives

Support the market introduction of torrefaction-based bioenergy carriers as a
standardised commodity renewable solid fuel

Further development of torrefaction-based technologies (up to pilot-plant
scale and beyond)

Development of specific production recipes, validated through extensive labto-industrial-scale logistics and end-use performance testing

Development and standardisation of dedicated analysis and testing methods
for assessment of transport, storage, handling logistics and end-use
performance and product standards for torrefied biomassa products

Assessment of the role of torrefaction-based solid bioenergy carriers in the
bioenergy value chains and their contribution to the development of the
bioenergy market in Europe

Full sustainability assessment of the major torrefaction-based biomass-to-enduse value chains

Dissemination of project results to industry and into international forums (e.g.
EIBI, EERA, CEN/ISO, IEA and sustainability round tables)
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
11
place, date
Production of Solid Sustainable Energy Carriers by Means of
Torrefaction
STRUCTURE
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
12
place, date
project structure
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
13
place, date
Production of Solid Sustainable Energy Carriers by Means of
Torrefaction
WORK PACKAGES
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
14
place, date
WP1 Project Management (DBFZ, Germany)
 Coordination and administration of the project
 Communication with European Commission
 Reporting
 Organisation of Project Meetings
 Set-up and maintenance of project website www.sector-project.eu
EC
Strategic
Management
Board
WP Leaders
Task Leaders
General Assembly
Advisory Board
Coordinator
Participating Partners
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
15
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WP2 Selection of relevant biomass feedstock (VTT, Finland)
 Assessment of available biomass potential for production of
torrefied pellets from both forest and agricultural feedstock and of
the market demand
 Selection of raw materials for the experimental work
 Demand analysis including cofiring ratios and acceptable price
levels
Cereal straw
Prunings from olive trees
Poplar chips
Eucalyptus chips
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
16
place, date
WP3 Torrefaction (ECN, the Netherlands)
Different technologies
Moving bed
(ECN)
pilot
Rotary drum
(Umeå University)
pilot
Production with available pilot scale facilities
Typical test runs 50-100 hours
Typical production per test few tons
3-6 different feedstocks
Rotary drum
(CENER)
pilot
Torbed
(Topell)
demo
Production with available demo plant
Continuous operation
Production of 100-200 tons
Specific feedstock
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
17
place, date
WP4 Densification (DTI, Denmark)
 Characterisation and optimisation of the densification properties of
different torrefied biomass materials according to end users
requirement based on tests in lab, bench and industrial scale
densification units (pellets and briquettes)
Torrefied biomass (WP3)
Industrial scale
pelletisation
(ECN, CENER, UMEÅ, Topell)
Lab-scale charact. & screen. of
pelletisation parameters
(DTI)
Bench scale
briquetting
(DTI, C.F. Nielsen )
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
18
place, date
WP5 Demonstration Tests (Topell, the Netherlands)
 Production of torrefied materials and pellets at demo scale in
Topells 60 kton/a plant in Duiven, the Netherlands
 Products to be used for large scale test in WP6 and WP7
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
19
place, date
WP6 Logistics (ECN, the Netherlands)
 Small-scale tests to characterise logistics performance
 Outdoor storage and handling tests
 Results will be used to adjust production processes
Transport, storage and handling
Stefan Dusan – 4th annual biomass and bioenergy forum (Vienna, Sep. 2011)
Small scale testing of specific properties of
both raw torrefied biomass as well as
pelletized or briquetted torrefied biomass
Large scale testing of storage and
handling properties at existing industrial
coal based power plants
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
20
place, date
WP7 End-use (University of Stuttgart, Germany)
 Evaluation of the end-use applications of
torrefied biomass in different application
areas:
• Medium-to-large scale firing and cofiring in
pulverized-fuel boilers
• Medium-to-large scale gasification and cogasification in entrained-flow gasifiers,
and
• Small scale combustion in commercial
pellet boilers.
• Production of bio-chemicals or biomaterials
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
21
place, date
WP8 Fuel specification & lab analysis (OFI, Austria)
 Verification, development and
application of analysis methods to
access fuel properties
 Development of a Material Safety
Data Sheet (MSDS)
 Preparation of CEN and ISO product
and quality assurance standards
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
22
place, date
WP 9 Value chains and sustainability (DBFZ, Germany)
 Within SECTOR three different assessment areas are
covered:
• Socio-economic assessment
• Environmental assessment
ENVIRONMENT
Type 1
Environmental & climate protection
Technical-efficiency /
-compatibility
Impact category
Security of supply
Characterisation
- unclear cause-effect
- aggregation
- scoring/weighting
- use of PRPs
Subcategory indicator
Type 2
Endpoint category
Midpoint category indicator
Characterisation
- cause-effect link
- (aggregation)
- modeling impact
pathway
Inventory indicators
Cost-efficiency
ECONOMY
Creation of value
SOCIETY
Impact pathways of the UNEP methodology
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
Inventory data
23
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WP10 Cooperation and Dissemination of project results
(DBFZ, Germany)
 Dissemination of project results through
• Workshops
• Website
• International Networks and Platforms and standardisation
committees (mainly ISO/TC 238)
Set it on the political
agenda for the
needed framework
Get feedback from the
market about aspects
yet to be covered or
changed within the
project
Show advantages of
torrefied fuels and
wake interest
Generally initiate
developments in the
market outside of
SECTOR
Market
integration
Prepare market
launch by staying in
touch with
stakeholders
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
24
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Production of Solid Sustainable Energy Carriers by Means of
Torrefaction
SUMMARY
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
25
place, date
Summary

Torrefaction process:

• accepts many types of ligno-cellulosic biomass
• offers optimised balance between energy and mass yield
• ensures more homogeneous production and constant product quality
• does not significantly reduce sulphur, chlorine and alkali concentrations
Torrefied products:

• can be directly milled and cofired with coal
• are dry and have a high net calorific value
• are brittle and easily break down into small particles
• have a high volumetric energy density  significant cost savings
Worldwide there are over 50 torrefaction developers / initiatives (planning capacities between
300  500 ktons); no commercial plant exists today, but first demonstration projects are on the
way (e. g. Topell from NL 60 kton/a)

European development in parallel to R&D in North America (USA/CA)  this will speed up the
process

Technical and commercial challenges have to be solved, e.g.:
•
•
•
optimisation of torrefaction and densification process
determination of standardised fuel properties/qualities
minimisation of logistical and end-use risks
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
26
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thank you very much for your attention
SECTOR
General information
Principal scientist
Eija Alakangas
tel: +358 400 542 454
[email protected]
www.sector-project.eu
Experts in different workpackages
WP 2 Raw material: Eija Alakangas/Martti Flyktman
WP 3 Torrefaction: Carl Wilén/Vesa Arpiainen
WP 4 Densification: Leena Fagernäs/Jussi Ranta
WP 6 Logistics: Timo Järvinen
WP 7 End-use: Leena Fagernäs/Jussi Ranta
WP 8 Lab analysis: Leena Fagernäs/Jussi Ranta
WP 8 Product standards: Eija Alakangas
WP 9 & 10 Sustainability& Diss.: Eija Alakangas
pictures in this presentation: ECN, CENER, DBFZ, OFI, Topell, DTI, Stefan Dusan, University of Stuttgart, Claudia-Hautumm (pixelio), Gabi Schoenemann (pixelio),
Thomas Siepmann (pixelio), nordagrar.com, Jasper Lensselink, Museum Brunsbuettel, enjoyconstellation.com, Thermya
The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant
agreement n° 282826
27