Expanding the biomass resourceSustainable oil production via fast pyrolysis of low input high diversity biomass and the potential integration of thermochemical and biological conversion routes

TY - JOUR

T1 - Expanding the biomass resource

T2 - Sustainable oil production via fast pyrolysis of low input high diversity biomass and the potential integration of thermochemical and biological conversion routes

AU - Corton, John

AU - Donnison, Iain

AU - Patel, Manisha

AU - Bühle, Lutz

AU - Hodgson, Edward

AU - Wachendorf, Michael

AU - Bridgwater, Anthony

AU - Allison, Gordon

AU - Fraser, Mariecia

N1 - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBS/E/W/10963A01);

PY - 2016/9/1

Y1 - 2016/9/1

N2 - Waste biomass is generated during the conservation management of semi-natural habitats, and represents an unused resource and potential bioenergy feedstock that does not compete with food production. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to characterise a representative range of biomass generated during conservation management in Wales. Of the biomass types assessed, those dominated by rush (Juncus effuses) and bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) exhibited the highest and lowest volatile compositions respectively and were selected for bench scale conversion via fast pyrolysis. Each biomass type was ensiled and a sub-sample of silage was washed and pressed. Demineralization of conservation biomass through washing and pressing was associated with higher oil yields following fast pyrolysis. The oil yields were within the published range established for the dedicated energy crops miscanthus and willow. In order to examine the potential a multiple output energy system was developed gross power production estimates following valorisation of the press fluid, char and oil. If used in multi fuel industrial burners the char and oil alone would displace 3.9 x 105 tonnes per year of No. 2 light oil using Welsh biomass from conservation management. Bioenergy and product development using these feedstocks could simultaneously support biodiversity management and substitute for fossil fuels, thereby reducing GHG emissions. Gross power generation predictions show good potential.

AB - Waste biomass is generated during the conservation management of semi-natural habitats, and represents an unused resource and potential bioenergy feedstock that does not compete with food production. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to characterise a representative range of biomass generated during conservation management in Wales. Of the biomass types assessed, those dominated by rush (Juncus effuses) and bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) exhibited the highest and lowest volatile compositions respectively and were selected for bench scale conversion via fast pyrolysis. Each biomass type was ensiled and a sub-sample of silage was washed and pressed. Demineralization of conservation biomass through washing and pressing was associated with higher oil yields following fast pyrolysis. The oil yields were within the published range established for the dedicated energy crops miscanthus and willow. In order to examine the potential a multiple output energy system was developed gross power production estimates following valorisation of the press fluid, char and oil. If used in multi fuel industrial burners the char and oil alone would displace 3.9 x 105 tonnes per year of No. 2 light oil using Welsh biomass from conservation management. Bioenergy and product development using these feedstocks could simultaneously support biodiversity management and substitute for fossil fuels, thereby reducing GHG emissions. Gross power generation predictions show good potential.

KW - fast pyrolysis

KW - low input high density

KW - conservation biomass

KW - integrated processing

KW - rush

KW - bracken

KW - bio oil

UR - http://hdl.handle.net/2160/43945

U2 - 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.05.088

DO - 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.05.088

M3 - Article

C2 - 27818570

VL - 177

SP - 852

EP - 862

JO - Applied Energy

JF - Applied Energy

SN - 0306-2619

ER -