Biomass Based Energy Intermediates Boosting Bio-Fuel Production-Bioboost

Abstract

To increase the share of biomass for renewable energy in Europe conversion pathways which are economic, flexible in feedstock and energy efficient are needed. The BioBoost project concentrates on dry and wet residual biomass and wastes as feedstock for de-central conversion by fast pyrolysis, catalytic pyrolysis and hydrothermal carbonization to the intermediate energy carriers oil, coal or slurry. Based on straw the energy density increases from 2 to 20-31 GJ/m3, enabling central GW scale gasification plants for bio-fuel production. The catalytic pyrolysis reduces oxygenates in the oil enabling power and refinery applications. The fast pyrolysis and HTC processes of demo-size are optimized for feedstock flexibility, yield, quality and further up-scaling is studied. A logistic model for feedstock supply and connection of de-central with central conversion is set up and validated allowing the determination of costs, the number and location of de-central and central sites. Techno/economic and environmental assessment of the value chain supports the optimization of products and processes.