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CEATI SOIG PROJECT 0538

Agricultural: Biomass Torre,f action
Research Program

Status, Report: May 17, 2013

SOIG Cfbmmittee Mtg, San Diego, CA

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CEATI- SOIG Project 0538 c;'

"Agricultural Biomass Research/ ~rogram"

The objectives of the research program are to:

Determine if there is a cost effective solution to produce

fuel from agricultural based biomass feedstock; and

Gain sufficient knowledge of torrefied agricultural based

biomass product so as to write a fuel specification for
agricultural based torrefied biomass fuel.

CanmetENERGY
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Contracts signed in July 2012 between CEATI and

CanmetENERGY, UBC, Western U, Delta Research

CanmetENERGY
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ABITORR Research Program ~

Program is structured in four stage-gated phases:

Phase 1 - Assessment of Feedstocks and Torrefaction

Performance
Start July 17, 2012 Completion April 30, 2013

Phase 2 - Densification of Torrefied Materials

Completion October 31, 2013

Phase 3 -Combustion Testing

Completion April30, 2014

Phase 4 - Industrial Equipment Evaluation and Supply Modelling

Completion April30, 2014

CanmetENERGY
ABITORR Research Program - Overview
The program deliverables include:

1.1 A database of physical and chemical characteristics of a broad range of

agricultural biomass feedstocks
1.2 A comprehensive data set identifying optimum process conditions for
torrefaction for a broad range of agricultural biomass feedstocks
1.3 Biomass feedstock pre-treatment evaluation report

2.1 A report on the effect of torrefaction on agricultural feedstock

grindability
2.2 A report on densification and briquetting Including off-gassing report
evaluating acid washing as a post-treatment process
2.3 A report on potential and/or limitations for use of binders (e.g. lignin)

CanmetENERGY
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ABITORR Research Program Overview

The program deliverables include:

3.1 A report on fuel quality assessment of torrefied materials through lab-

scale combustion performance tests

4.1 A report on performance of three industrial torrefaction systems using

agricultural residues
4.2 A report on supply and economic analysis of agricultural biomass as
feedstock for torrefaction feedstocks
4.3 Draft technical standard for torrefied agricultural residues

CanmetENERGY
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 Phase 1 - Assessment of Feedstocks and
Torrefaction Performance
ABITORR - Phase 1 Activities

a review of agricultural biomasses supply including quantities and

feedstock analyses data. ABITORR meeting with CEATI to formalize
specific test fuels (1 0) by CanmetENERGY

procure and store feedstocks and distribute samples to partners (UBC and
WESTERN) by CanmetENERGY

Feedstock characterization (chemical and physical properties) by

CanmetENERGY and WESTERN
Ultimat~, Proximate, Calorific Value, Halogens, Metals in Ash,
Lignin
f ..
>
/' Cellulose 1 Hemicellulose

shred ancr'grind sa~ples past through 24, 12, 6 mm screens, conduct

particle size analysis,measure power and throughput for the grinder (knife
mill and hammer IJiill) by UBC
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Phase 1 - Assessment of Feed~tocks and

Torrefaction Performance rcont.J ,
ABITORR - Phase 1 Activities

Feedstock reaction kinetics and mechanisms evaluated by TGA testing

and also determination of ignition temperature and characteristics by
CanmetENERGY

Torrefaction of selected feedstocks by CanmetENERGY, UBC and WU

Torrefaction Reactors: Rotating drum (CanmetENERGY),
Mechanically fluidized bed and bubbling fluidized bed (WESTERN)
Big TGA (UBC).

Two level matrix for time, temperature and particle size.

Quantify torrefaction volatiles for constituents (non-condensables and condensable)

Analyses of solid, liquids and gaseous products.

A literature review/assessment of washing pre-treatment techniques by

Delta Research

CanmetENERGY
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ABITORR Specific Feedstocks Selected by
CEATI/SOIG

Reference:
Willow

Crop Residue:
Corn Stover
\"!~~at Straw
CanoJ~ Straw

CanmetENERGY
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ABITORR Selected Feedstocks .;'as received

Lignocellulosic Material- Structural Composition

Agricultural Wood residues Herbaceous

residues energy crops

Cellulose 38 %
Cellulose 45 %
Hemicellulose 30 %
Lignin 17% Lignin 15 %
,;"'

Other 13 /o Other 10%

CanmetENERGY

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Feedstock Structural Cort:~position - I

~ Ash 1111 Extractives o Hemicellulose ~ o C'ei~los~--- Lign;;:;--J
90 v----..,.
--~ ----- - ..---------------- .._. ____ ___ _,..... ,- --- ..----- ~ -- --- ---- ... _
-~-------- ~--

80 - - --

70
---
60
____,
--~

..
~
,,..____;_ .,....-.____,_.._,.,. _____
50 ~

40
0
- ':f.
30

u
---~ -----~- --=

1-~ 1~--r
I
=~
20

-~
10 -
0

~/ ~elf ~# c&#' .~-~

gP
:!:-..:5 c/~
/
1mAsh 1111 Extractives o Hemicelluloses o Cellulose Lignin
90
80
70
60

~
0
50
40
--
30
20
-=jf)~ lil lr- .,.-f
~
~
10
0 ~

~/
~q
q#
of /0 '77
c&#
cf~
~
d-t ~rf
y
;:10 ~
 Ash Composition

25

20

~ 15

II>
<( 10

5

0
i
:.',.
*

CanmetENERGY

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Heating Value, Gl.lt .~daf)

Global vs Measured -;,
30.0 -
tF:~;";., ' 30.0
JGiobal + Measured I "0~~;>_ , /
25.0 jj_ 25.0
~

:!:!.
:!::::
(:; 20.0
>"
::t:
--.

- 20.0

::t:
15.0 - * 15.0

10 .0 10.0

CanmetENERGY
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 Halogen and Ash Contents

Halogens by Pyroltydrolysis Ash wto/o dry basis

(pg/1( dry basis)
Chlorine Fluorine Bromine Can met Western University
T= 575 C <*l T=600 C(NREL)
Willow 65 < IO <10 4.5 0.7
Switch~rass 450 < IO <IO 4.6 2.3
Miscanthus 300 < IO <IO 3.7 2.7
Corn Stover 2670 I9 <IO 28.8 I3.I
Wheat Straw 245 <IO <IO 7.3 ** 3.8
Sor~hum 420 <IO I9 2.I 0.9
Sunflower ./~ 36 IO. < IO <IO 6.2 3.6
Husks ~'

Canola Straw 3620 <10 <IO 8.0 6.8

Olive Residue I070 < 97 II 6.7 5.5
Bagasse 730 < IO I4 5.I NA

CanmetENERGY
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Willow sample as received (October 2012)

SWITCH GRASS

Tangled switchgrass blocked

the hammer mill chamber

CanmetENERGY
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Particle size distribution for straw and branches-
grinding in the hammer mill with 6.4 mm {1/4" screen)

1112.00mm 111 lAOmm 1111 0.8.5mm 0.6 mm 1110.425 mm mPau

40 .., ........................................... .

30 .

25

10
I

Wheat~tn1w Switdi~ nss nw Corn stvver iviiscnnthuB I

.........................................................................................................<:?::.. ... ~ .. . ............ !
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Particle size distribution for seeds and olive residue-

grinding in the hammer mill with 6.4 mm (1/4" screen)
1!2.00 nun 111L40 nun 11 085nun 1110.6 mm 11 0.42 5.nun -.., li Pan

40
35
,,_ c , 30
c'
. _ /

c>= 25
..=
{.)
~
~
20
15
10

0
Stmtluwerseed Olive residue Sorghum seed
 Specific power requirement for grinding -
hammer mill: as received (Test 1) and pre cut (Test 2)
45,0 r------------------------------------------------,
40,0
::
..t:. 35,0 I!I! Test l
i 30,0 !llii TesU
i 25,0
120,0
~ 15,0
o .
~ 10,0

"' 5,0
0,0 + . . . . . . . .... .......... , . . . . .

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Average energy input for g'r inding

40
-- --- --~U- ---

35 l!lll 3.2mm

-
t7
~
~ 25
30 lm6.4mm

e, I W12.7 mm
-:::_, 20 lllll: 25.4mm
~
= 15
~t
.....
Q.> 10
lo'::
~ 5

0
 1zo THERMAL BREAKDOWN OF WOOD COMPONENTS -----.-,

0 +--+---t--t~--t"' -t-"- l i - - t - -l-- -t--+-+--t---t--+---t-........31j

.._<::><::> .._{>

TGA Comparison of the mass' lo~s d~ rivatives

.,{.; ;-> ~-'v,

Reactivity of Various Agricultural Residues at 100C/min in N2

0.0012

0.001

~ 0.0008

?~ 0.0006 .
e
~ 0.0004 -

0.0002

200 220 240 260 280 300 320

Temperature (C)
-willow - sorghum - canola residue - sunflower husks -olive residue
- bagasse - switchgrass ""-- miscanthus - corn stover - wheat residue
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CanmetENERGY- Rotary Drum Torrefaction

Reactor

CanmetENERGY
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Mechanically Fluidized Reactor

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CanmetEN ERGY
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UBC - Big ThermoGravimetric Analyser

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Mass and Energy Recovery - To refaction

(RDTU, 300 deg C, 15 min.)
.-----------------------------------------~---------------~
Mass and energy recovery for solid product during torrefaction at
300 deg C and 15 min (using CanmetENERGY RDTU)

liD mass loss energy loss

100 ,--------------L-----------------------L-------------- ,
90 -1-----~~--------------------------------------------l

80
70
o8 60
'# 50
~ 40
30
20
10
0 -1---""--r---r""'"--r-------r

#
0
Po&
 Mass Distribution of recovered torrefaction
products
Mass Balance - Torre f action at RDTU at 300 C 15 min

lll!il Gas E Liquid 0 Solid I

100%
90/o
80 %
70/o

~
60 /o
0 50/o
~ 4 0 /o
30/o
20/o
1 0 /o

----- - -
/ 'I I

Energy Distribution of recovered torrefaction 7

products
Energy Balance - Torrefaction at 'ROTU at300C , 15rni n

l l !il Gas E Liquid o Solid I

1 00% -,r---, ,---,r ':;=r=::::::;:::::::;:=~::::;:::::=:::::;=;::::::::::'......,r -,--,---,r-:,---,r--,r
90%
8D%
7D%
.0 60%
"0
* 50%
l: 40%
30%
20%
1D%
0%
TGA Analysis - solid mass recovery
Ramping 25' C/min, residence time 0, 900 and 3600 seconds 1' 1

Torrefaction 220' c Torrefaction 260' c Torrcf'nction 300' c

Feedstocks 0 900 3600 0 900 3600 0 900 3600

Willow 99% 99% 97% 97% 91 % 85% 89% 79% 70%

Bagasse 99% 98% 97% 97% 90% 84% 84% 73 !/c

1
62lJ'i:

Miscanthus 99'}(;. 98.)f, 96% 96% 90% 84% 34% TYA 6 3%

Switchgrass 99% 98% 96% 96% 86% 79% SO% 6 ()Cjio 5.1 %

Canola Residue 99% 97% 94% 90% 85% 71 % 76% 64% 55%

Wheat Residic , 98% 96% 94 C]~I 92% 83% 75% 759(; 59% 49'1<>

Corn Stover ; 98% 96% 92% 91 % 83% 75% 75% ) ()<;(. 46%

Olive Residue 98% 95% 92% 92% 83% 73% 69% 56C;i, 49c;z,

Sunflower Husks. '97% 94% 91 % 91 % 82% 77% 74% 56% 4511C

Sorghum 95% 92% 9 1% 92% 81 % 71 % 74C

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Hemicelluloses conte.nt;v:s.
mass recovery in torrefac:ti~n
.,

Solid ina.\:~ recove1y

Feedstocks Hemicelluloses, wt %
(lWTU, 300" C- 15mill )
Corn Stover 28.93 61.5

Switchgrass 26.76 69.0

Miscanthus 24.80 66.1

Cano1a Straw 23.15 60.4

Bagasse 22.73 74.3

Wheat Straw 19.76 58.5

Olive Residues 19.34 61.9

Willow 18.35 67.5

Sunflower Husk 14.73 58.3

Sorghum Seed 3A5 52.2

CanmetENERGY
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Comparison of mass recovery during

torrefaction (M FR, BTGA and RDTU)
260" c 300" c

WU MFR UBC BTGA WU MFR

unc Canmet
BTGA RDTU

Feedstock Yield

Willow 88% 9 1% 68% 73 % 67%

Canola 83% 83% 6 1% 56% 60%

Sorghum<'> 85% 85 % 58% 45% 52%

Sunflower Husksll> 83% 83% 58% 56% 58%

Oli ve Residue<2 > 8 1% 82% 60% 64% 62%

CanmetENERGY
Leadership in ecolmwz,atifm ~

Washing Of Feedstock
significant variability in characteristics of biomass
due to growing conditions, type of soil, harvesting
time, weather conditions (water, temperature, sun
hours etc.), type of harvesting method

to extract contaminants from the harvesting

operation and certain water soluble minerals
naturally contained in the biomass.

technologies available - wet extraction methods,

either at low temperature or at high temperature in
combination with high pressure

Field washing
Hydrothermal Carbonisation (HTC)
Torwash (by ECN)
ChlorOut (during combustion, by Vattenfall)

Range In ash content of feedstocks.

CanmetENERGY
 Ash content removal - impact of water
to biomass ratio
4.00

~ 3 .00
3.50
t. ~
-
.....
s::
C1i
2.50
' ,,
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..... 2 .0U
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u
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1.50 - ~ ..... , . ,.~ .--f.
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1/)
<t HiO

0 .50

0.00
Unt r ~a ted 8 12 15
Water to Biomass Ratio (-)
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Change in ash fusion temperature

during cold washing ,
'

Ash fusion Untreated Treated Miscanthus Treated Miscanthus

Temperature Miscanthus Ratio 15:1 Ratio 8:1
+oC
Initial Deformation 481 1394 1031

Softening 989 1538 1473

Hemispherical 1165 1551 1536

Fluid 1218 1551 1551

CanmetENERGY
 IIITORWASH

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

AI Fe Si Zn Ca S P Mg Na Cl K Br

CanmetENERGY
Leaclershi in ecolnnor1ation j

Project Status
Change in ABITORR Principal Investigator: Guy
Tourigny is replacing Dr. Fernando Prete. ,

ABITORR Project Team closely working with

CEATI to raise the profile of the project and
secure funds for the next Phases
MITACS
OMAF - Research& Innovation Funding
AAFC- Agriculture Innovation Program

CanmetENERGY
Impact on the Industry
It is expected that this project will act as a stepping stone to
generate the necessary inputs for the commercialization and
market implementation of sustainable fuels from agricultural
feedstocks by means of torrefaction and densification by (i)
successfully demonstrating the torrefaction and densification
technology in an laboratory and industrial scale, and, (ii)
increasing confidence level among the suppliers, producers,
traders, investors and end-users.

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