BioFuels Journal

A new study released in the journal Energy & Fuels is providing entirely new insights into the journey – and performance -- of biomass from harvest through the various conversions to finished fuel blendstocks.

Unlike previous studies that have assessed the performance of one, individual step, such as hydrotreatment or fast pyrolysis, researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and partner laboratories have performed the first, fully integrated assessment of common feedstocks from the field to refinery-ready crude fuel.

Not only did the assessment capture valuable feedstock performance data (yields) during each step throughout the process, it assessed six different pure lignocellulosic feedstocks (such as pine, switchgrass, corn stover or poplars) and two potential feedstock blends, resulting in detailed, side-by side comparisons of both quantity and quality.

A detailed understanding of conversion performance as a function of feedstock properties is critical to both the design and successful operation of a biorefinery.

In order to make an impactful contribution to fuel production a wide range of biomass species will need to be integrated into the supply train.

This study provides industry producers with the data needed to evaluate the potential of biomass as a commodity and optimize quality vs. quantity tradeoffs for each specific feedstock.

To date, a number of studies have investigated the yields of bio-oil from fast pyrolysis, but have reported a wide range (36-62%) of liquid mass yields dependent upon the feedstock used.

The yield of upgraded hydrocarbon fuels from these bio-oils is far less understood.

The wide range of reported yields coupled with unknown upgrading performance presents a serious risk to the emerging bioenergy industry in successfully designing and operating a fast pyrolysis and hydrotreatment refinery.

The multi-lab study provides industry with a new level of performance data along each step of the process.

It also yielded some interesting findings.

For example, some feedstocks resulted in high yields during the fast pyrolysis to bio oil conversion, but didn’t perform nearly as well during subsequent hydrotreating.

Also, some feedstocks exhibited a very high hydrogen requirement during hydrotreating compared to other feedstocks, increasing the overall conversion cost of those materials.

It’s this type of step-by-step insight that industry needs to make informed, confident decisions.

To complete the assessment, PNNL partnered with Idaho National Laboratory, which prepared and characterized the feedstocks, as well as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory where fast pyrolysis was conducted, before final hydrotreating at PNNL.

The multi-lab approach ensured that the “best of the best” was aligned for each step in the process.

Funding was provided by the Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office.

For more information, please contact Dawn Zimmerman at 509-372-6618 or dawn.zimmerman@pnnl.gov

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