Australian researchers develop process to produce stable bio-crude oil
Researchers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency, and Monash University, have developed a chemical process that turns abundant lignocellulosic biomass into a type of bio-crude oil more stable than any other produced so far. The bio-crude oil, also known as bio-oil, can be used to produce high value chemicals and biofuels, including both petrol and diesel replacement fuels. The breakthrough removes one of the major obstacles holding back the development of decentralised production concepts, as the stability of the oil is important in the logistical chain.
Bio-crude oil or bio-oil is a next-generation biofuel obtained from the fast pyrolysis of any type of biomass including waste. Fast pyrolysis is a process in which the organic materials are rapidly heated to 450 - 600 °C at atmospheric pressure in the absence of air. Under these conditions, organic vapours, pyrolysis gases and charcoal are produced. The vapours are condensed to bio-oil. Typically, 70-75 wt.% of the feedstock is converted into oil.
Pyrolysis offers the possibility of de-coupling (time, place and scale), easy handling of the liquids and a more consistent quality compared to any solid biomass. With fast pyrolysis a clean liquid - bio-crude - is produced as an intermediate for a wide variety of applications. One of the main obstabcles to this de-coupling, has been the chemical instability of the bio-oil. This implies logistical chains must be optimised to allow fast processing of the bio-crude into refined products.
Dr Steven Loffler of CSIRO Forest Biosciences says his team made changes to the chemical process, which allowed it to create a concentrated bio-crude which is much more stable than that achieved elsewhere in the world. This makes it practical and economical to produce bio-crude in local areas for transport to a central refinery, overcoming the high costs and greenhouse gas emissions otherwise involved in transporting bulky green wastes over long distances (previous post, here and here).
The project forms part of CSIRO’s commitment to delivering cleaner energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving technologies for converting waste biomass to transport fuels:
energy :: sustainability :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: decentralisation :: fast pyrolysis :: bio-oil :: bio-crude :: biorefinery ::Australia ::
The plant wastes being targeted for conversion into biofuels contain chemicals known as lignocellulose, which is increasingly favoured around the world as a raw material for the next generation of bio-ethanol.
Lignocellulose is both renewable and potentially greenhouse gas neutral. It is predominantly found in trees and is made up of cellulose; lignin, a natural plastic; and hemicellulose.
CSIRO and Monash University will apply to patent the chemical processes underpinning the conversion of green wastes to bio-crude oil once final laboratory trials are completed.
The research to date is supported by funding from CSIRO’s Energy Transformed Flagship program, Monash University, Circa Group and Forest Wood Products Australia.
National Research Flagships CSIRO initiated the National Research Flagships to provide science-based solutions in response to Australia’s major research challenges and opportunities. The nine Flagships form multidisciplinary teams with industry and the research community to deliver impact and benefits for Australia.
Picture: forestry waste and wood as an abundant lignocellulosic feedstock for bio-crude oil, set to end the food versus fuel debate. Credit: CSIRO.
References:
CSIRO: Bio-crude turns cheap waste into valuable fuel - February 4, 2008.
Biopact: Dynamotive demonstrates fast-pyrolysis plant in the presence of biofuel experts - September 18, 2007
Biopact: Dynamotive begins construction of modular fast-pyrolysis plant in Ontario - December 19, 2006
Bio-crude oil or bio-oil is a next-generation biofuel obtained from the fast pyrolysis of any type of biomass including waste. Fast pyrolysis is a process in which the organic materials are rapidly heated to 450 - 600 °C at atmospheric pressure in the absence of air. Under these conditions, organic vapours, pyrolysis gases and charcoal are produced. The vapours are condensed to bio-oil. Typically, 70-75 wt.% of the feedstock is converted into oil.
Pyrolysis offers the possibility of de-coupling (time, place and scale), easy handling of the liquids and a more consistent quality compared to any solid biomass. With fast pyrolysis a clean liquid - bio-crude - is produced as an intermediate for a wide variety of applications. One of the main obstabcles to this de-coupling, has been the chemical instability of the bio-oil. This implies logistical chains must be optimised to allow fast processing of the bio-crude into refined products.
Dr Steven Loffler of CSIRO Forest Biosciences says his team made changes to the chemical process, which allowed it to create a concentrated bio-crude which is much more stable than that achieved elsewhere in the world. This makes it practical and economical to produce bio-crude in local areas for transport to a central refinery, overcoming the high costs and greenhouse gas emissions otherwise involved in transporting bulky green wastes over long distances (previous post, here and here).
Our process creates a stable oil that can then be tankered to the biorefinery. - Dr Steven Loffler, Theme Leader CSIRO Forest BiosciencesThe process uses low value waste such as forest thinnings, crop residues, waste paper and garden waste, significant amounts of which are currently dumped in landfill or burned. According to Dr Loffler, by using waste, the 'Furafuel' technology as it has been dubbed, overcomes the food versus fuel debate which surrounds biofuels generated from grains, corn and sugar.
The project forms part of CSIRO’s commitment to delivering cleaner energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by improving technologies for converting waste biomass to transport fuels:
energy :: sustainability :: biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: decentralisation :: fast pyrolysis :: bio-oil :: bio-crude :: biorefinery ::Australia ::
The plant wastes being targeted for conversion into biofuels contain chemicals known as lignocellulose, which is increasingly favoured around the world as a raw material for the next generation of bio-ethanol.
Lignocellulose is both renewable and potentially greenhouse gas neutral. It is predominantly found in trees and is made up of cellulose; lignin, a natural plastic; and hemicellulose.
CSIRO and Monash University will apply to patent the chemical processes underpinning the conversion of green wastes to bio-crude oil once final laboratory trials are completed.
The research to date is supported by funding from CSIRO’s Energy Transformed Flagship program, Monash University, Circa Group and Forest Wood Products Australia.
National Research Flagships CSIRO initiated the National Research Flagships to provide science-based solutions in response to Australia’s major research challenges and opportunities. The nine Flagships form multidisciplinary teams with industry and the research community to deliver impact and benefits for Australia.
Picture: forestry waste and wood as an abundant lignocellulosic feedstock for bio-crude oil, set to end the food versus fuel debate. Credit: CSIRO.
References:
CSIRO: Bio-crude turns cheap waste into valuable fuel - February 4, 2008.
Biopact: Dynamotive demonstrates fast-pyrolysis plant in the presence of biofuel experts - September 18, 2007
Biopact: Dynamotive begins construction of modular fast-pyrolysis plant in Ontario - December 19, 2006
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