Black pellets180427 Kasetsart Univesity Faculty ofForestryPer Norlin, Valmet Swedenper.norlin@valmet.com

Biomass Conversion

Co-firing in PC boilersPelletization

Steamexplosion Bio coal

Separation

Platform chemicalsConc. acidhydrolysis Refining

Biomass

BioethanolPre-

hydrolysis

Enzymatichydrolysis

FermentationDistillation

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The growing market potential of pellets

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The primary use of black pelletsReplace coal in power plants

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Coal

5-10% co-firing5-15 % substitutionOR major cost torebuild

50-100 % substitutionand low cost to rebuild

Sustainable solution

Improved solution “White” pellets

“Black” pellets

Coal firedpower plant

ZilkhaBlack pellet plant

Fossil solution

White pellet plant

Pellet properties

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Wood chips White pellets Steam explodedpellets

Torrified pellets Hard coal

Heating value 10-12 GJ/ton 17 GJ/ton 19-21 GJ/ton 20-22 GJ/ton 25 GJ/ton

Bulk density 400 kg/m3 650 kg/m3 750 kg/m3 750 kg/m3 850 kg/m3

Energy density 3 GJ/m3 11 GJ/m3 15-16 GJ/m3 17 GJ/m3 21 GJ/m3

Water resistant N/A Poor Very good Good ? Very good

Durability N/A Good Very good Good ? Very good

Mass loss N/A 0-2 % 10-15 % >35 %

Dust % delivered High 3-7 % Low < 1% 5-10 % ?

Process Equipment Beyond White Pellets

InletWood

Chipping Drying HammerMilling

PelletPress

• One process step added to the conventional white pellet process• Hammer milling, not needed for the continuous process• Steam generation island to produce steam for BioTrac

XBioTrac Continuous Thermal Treatment Unit

Steam Generation Island

BioTrac Continuous Thermal TreatmentStandardized product range

Solid growth in biofuels and 2G sugarplatformLatest references prehydrolysis systems

CONFIDENTIAL8

Location Year Raw material Production, odt/d

Confidetial, Europe 2016 Non wood 1000

Confidential, Asia 2016 Wood 1

Confidential, Asia 2016 Bagasse 1

Confidential, Europe 2016 Wood and non wood 70

Confidential, Thailand 2015 Non wood 8

Confidential, Canada 2015 Wood 600

Bio Pilot Facility, Delft, Netherlands 2014 Non wood 1

Greenfield Ethanol, Canada 2014 Wood and non wood 3

Confidential, Europe 2013 Non wood 1

Clariant, Germany 2011 Non wood 10

University of Florida, USA 2010 Wood and non wood 3

API, Thomaston, USA 2010 Wood 3

Comparison of bio-coal processes

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Torrefaction Steam explosion

ProductBrittle pelletLow wet durabilityAbsorbs waterHigh calorific value possible

Durable pelletWater resistantHigh energy densityNo need to add binder when densifying

EconomicsDebris losses in logistics chainHigh thermal yieldLess feasible for CHP integration

Simple and cost effective processHigh availabilityLean operation personnelLess press capacity neededLower maintenence costFew ATEX classified areasNo need of inert gas systems (N2)Low dust lossesCompetitive logistics due to high energy densityWell suited for CHP integration and generation of greenpower

BankabilityComplete supply from ValmetReliable serviceLocal prescence

Health and EnvironmentSafety issues related to fire hazard andhandling of explosive gasesFine particulate dust health issue?

Few ATEX classified areas/equipmentLow fire and explosion riskNo poisonous gasesLow dust (microparticles) content in working environmentLow temperature dryer without hazardous emissions

Technical readinessDespite several pilots and demonstrationplants, the process has not yet arrived toindustrial break throughDensification a major unresolved issue

Based on well known and proven mechanical defibrationprocessesLow risk to apply for industrial useIndustrial scale emerging

Technology Atmospheric processTemperature range app. 240…310 °C

Pressurized low temperature processTemperature range app. 180…210 °C below ignitiontemperature of woodHigh mass yield resulting in low VOC formationPreserving of sugars formed in hydrolysis ensures durablepellets