agri-tech producers, llc using torrefied wood as a coal replacement, for superior pellets and...
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Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Using Torrefied Wood Using Torrefied Wood as a Coal Replacement, for as a Coal Replacement, for
Superior Pellets and Superior Pellets and Cellulosic Ethanol Cellulosic Ethanol
ProductionProduction By
Joe James, PresidentAgri-Tech Producers, LLC
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Torrefaction: A Technology to Torrefaction: A Technology to Densify & Enhance BiomassDensify & Enhance Biomass
– Untreated biomass may be 50% water, it’s bulky and it’s not the most efficient or useable fuel or bio-feedstock. Torrefaction:•Drives off most of the water•Reduces the bulk•Makes a better co-fire fuel to burn with coal•Makes superior briquettes and pellets
– Torrefaction, applied at or near the point of harvest:•Reduces transportation costs of biomass,
per BTU•Produces a more valuable biomass shipment
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Torrefaction: Adding Value and Torrefaction: Adding Value and Reducing Transportation Reducing Transportation
Cost/BTUCost/BTU• Untreated Biomass:
– Bulky– Moist– Fibrous– Perishable– Waste– Expensive to
transport
• Torrefied Biomass::
– Dense, If Pelletized, Etc.– Dry & Water Resistant– Easily Crushed– Does Not Rot– Valuable Fuel– Energy Dense
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
The Process of TorrefactionThe Process of Torrefaction
• Heating (300-400º C) wood, in a low-oxygen environment, liberates water, volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), and hemicellulose (HC) from the cellulose and lignin.
• The VOC’s and HC are combusted to generate 80% of the torrefaction process heat.
• The remaining and warm lignin acts as a binder when the torrefied wood is pelletized.
• Torrefied wood can easily replace coal in combustion or be a feedstock for further pyrolysis or gasification for combined heat and power or Fischer-Tropsch liquids.
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Schematic of Torrefaction Schematic of Torrefaction MachineMachine
Higher Heating Value of Torrefied Wood, Charcoal and Coal:Color Approximately Indicates Heating Value
8,458 8,805 9,060 9,248 9,502
11,633
13,471
12,000
-
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
Lightest Lighter Light Dark Darker Darkest Charcoal Coal
BT
U/lb
.
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Higher Heating Value of Torrefied Wood, Higher Heating Value of Torrefied Wood, Charcoal and Coal: Charcoal and Coal:
Color Approximately Indicates Heating Color Approximately Indicates Heating ValueValue
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Chemistry of TorrefactionChemistry of Torrefaction
• At torrefaction temperatures, hemicellulose is the primary wood polymer that is degraded into:
– Permanent gases include H2, CH4, aromatics, CO, CO2, CxHy
– Condensable liquids include acids, ketones, furans, alcohols, terpenes, phenols, waxes, tanins, water
– Solids include char, new and existing sugar structures and new polymers and ash.
• All of the wood polymers undergo dehydration reactions that destroy –OH groups that are responsible for hydrogen bonding with water: this severely reduces the tendency of densified torrefied wood to absorb water.
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Mass and Energy Balance of Mass and Energy Balance of TorrefactionTorrefaction
• Published results indicate mass and energy balance of .8 and .9 respectively (for dry wood).
• This is consistent with the loss of the lower energy VOC and hemicellulose and retention of higher energy lignin and cellulose.
• Assuming – 50% MC wood, – HHV of 8700 Btu/lb for dry wood, – 1000 Btu/lb latent heat of water,– .4 Btu specific heat for wood and 1 Btu specific heat for
water, – Starting temperature of 75 F and exit temperatures of 500°
F.
• ~800 Btu used in processing, this energy is approximately equal to that of the VOC’s and hemicellulose.
• ~3575 Btu left in remaining torrefied product, which weighs ~.33 lbs, for a HHV of 10,800 Btu/lb.
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Making Electricity With Torrefied Making Electricity With Torrefied WoodWood
• Torrefied wood is a much better fuel for co-firing with coal than untreated wood.
• Torrefied wood can be ground to a particle size, similar to that of pulverized coal, with the same or less energy use.
• Untreated wood requires many times the energy use, in grinding (by a factor of 7.5 to 15), to achieve a similar particle size.
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Pelletizing & Briquetting Pelletizing & Briquetting Torrefied WoodTorrefied Wood
• At torrefaction temperatures, the lignin in wood becomes plastic and can actually become a binder of individual wood particles.
• Pellets made from torrefied wood may withstand 1.5 to 2 times the crushing force of normal wood pellets.
• Torrefied pellets show little water uptake on immersion (7-20% of mass), unlike normal pellets.
• University research in the 1930’s and 1940’s details benefits of torrefied wood pellets.
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Density of Various Biomass FuelsDensity of Various Biomass Fuels
Fuel BTU/ lb
Density
lbs/ ft3Specific Gravity BTU/ ft3
Green Wood Chips 4,500 21.29 0.341 95,804
Wood Pellets 7,300 40.00 0.641 292,000
Torrefied Wood 11,000 12.57 0.202 138,314
Pulverized Torrefied Wood 11,000 23.69 0.380 260,545
Pelletized Torrefied Wood (sample) 11,000 28.41 0.455 312,456
Pelletized Torrefied Wood (Bergman) 8,545 46.82 0.750 400,085
Baled Corn Stover (25% MC) 6,076 9.38 0.150 56,961
Baled Switchgrass (15% MC) 6,722 7.43 0.119 49,940
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Fuel Cost per MMBtu Electricity by Distance to Plant
$5.00
$7.00
$9.00
$11.00
$13.00
$15.00
$17.00
0 20 40 60 80 100
Miles
$/M
MB
tu E
Coal ($90/ton) Coal ($75/ton) Coal ($60/ton)
Green Wood Torrefied Wood
Delivered Cost per MM Btu Delivered Cost per MM Btu ElectricityElectricity
by Distance to Customerby Distance to Customer
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Delivered Cost Chart Delivered Cost Chart AssumptionsAssumptions
Coal is valued at $60 to $90 per ton delivered price
That torrefied wood (11,000 BTU/lb.) has a heating value nearly that of coal (12,000 BTU/lb.) and
That torrefied wood generates electricity with a similar efficiency to coal (35% fuel to electricity)
Untreated wood has a lower efficiency of conversion (23% fuel to electricity)
And wood can be processed into chips at a cost of about $15/green ton
$4.00/torrefied ton processing cost
Transportation costs for chips and torrefied wood are about $0.23 per ton per mile.
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
ATP’s Partner: Kusters Zima CorporationATP’s Partner: Kusters Zima Corporation101 Zima Park Drive / I-85 Business
Spartanburg, S.C. 29301Tel: (864) 576-0660
8.74 Acres (35,362 Sq. Meters)
Building Constructed in 1969
80,128 Total Manufacturing Sq. Ft. (7,444 Sq. Meters)
Kusters Zima has over 40 years experience in engineering and
manufacturing machinery for many various industries.
Complete Manufacturing
• Water & Waste Water EquipmentGrit Removal & Washing
Course & Fine ScreeningsClassifiers
CSO ScreensDewatering
• Carpet & Textile EquipmentContinuous Preparation
Dye Washers & Scour RangesSteamers
Liquid DispensingWater & Dry Lint Removal Systems
• Contract SalesPiece Parts & Components
Customer Specific Design & BuildBuild to Print
• Complete Metal Fabrication including Welding, Cutting, Forming and Piping.
• Machining Capabilities that include CNC Turning and Vertical Milling Centers.
• Complete Mechanical and Electrical Engineering with the latest Software Versions of SolidWorks and AutoCad.
• Complete Mechanical and Electrical Assembly and F.A.T. for Production Machines and Prototypes.
• Installation and Start-up Supervision.
ATP Resource: Mid-South EngineeringATP Resource: Mid-South Engineering
Hot Springs, Arkansas - USA1658 Malvern AvenueHot Springs, AR 71901
PH: 501-321-2276
Complete Engineering Services
Production Process DevelopmentProcess Conceptual DesignProcess Control Drawings
Energy Conservation & Conversion Systems
Civil Engineering ServicesSite Evaluation
Grading & Drainage PlansRoad & Railway Layouts
Structural Engineering ServicesEquipment Foundations
Building Foundations and StructuresMachinery/Equipment Supports
Fall Protection Systems
Mechanical Engineering ServicesCustom Equipment Design
Process Heating & Cooling Systems DesignPiping Systems
Equipment Specifications
Electrical Engineering ServicesPower Distribution System Design
Control System DesignLighting & Grounding Systems
Communication SystemsElectrical Power System Studies
Arc Flash Studies
Project Management ServicesProject Management
Project SchedulingContract and Invoice Administration
Construction ServicesTurnkey Construction
Construction ManagementStart-up Services
Safety Coordination
Helping manufacturers of pellets, briquettes, and other biomass
products improve existing facilities or design and construct new facilities to
meet the growing demand for renewable energy products.
Cary, North Carolina - USA1149 Executive Circle, Suite A
Cary, NC 27511PH: 919-481-1084
Visit us at www.mseco.com
We have over 40 years of experience in designing structural, mechanical, and electrical systems for major industrial
facilities throughout North America and other locations around the world.
Agri-Tech Producers, LLC
Using Torrefied Wood Using Torrefied Wood as a Coal Replacement, for as a Coal Replacement, for
Superior Pellets and Superior Pellets and Cellulosic Ethanol ProductionCellulosic Ethanol Production
Joe James, PresidentAgri-Tech Producers, LLC
(803) [email protected]