“Utilizing forest residues for the production of bioenergy and bio-based products.”

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Waste to Wisdom

Our project is working to utilize forest residues for bioenergy and bio-based Products

Conversion Technologies

Biomass Conversion Technologies

The Conversion Technologies team will scale-up the most promising prototype units for three biomass conversion technologies — biochar production system, torrefier, and briquetter — to sizes appropriate for achieving commercialization.

Self-contained Operation

We will develop operational protocols for each conversion technology that will eventually lead to self­-contained operation in a forest operations field setting. These project activities will focus on identifying strategies that meet the primary energy needs of each biomass conversion technology, including the generation of heat for drying and processing input biomass fuel as well as electricity to power motor drives, densification equipment, and onboard control systems.

Mobility

We will prepare each conversion technology for mobile operation at a forest field site.

Variety of Forest Residue Types

And we will complete testing and evaluation of each technology in a forest operations setting using a variety of forest residue types. The target fuel types for this study include different conifer and hardwood species. Performance evaluation of the three technologies in a field setting will track parameters related to biomass energy conversion, input energy needs, emissions, and operation and maintenance requirements and costs.

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Scale up and development of field ready unit

This task will involve the adaptation and scale up of Biochar Solution’s biochar production unit to be a field­ready, high production system. Activities will include: 1) Develop field applicable tooling and parts box, 2) add a laser-­level based reactor loading control to reduce operator effort, 3) develop and add stack fire protection to improve fire safety in field operations, 4) double throughput capacity of the unit.

Testing and field deployment

Biochar Solutions will work with Schatz Energy Research Center to collect operational performance data that can be used to evaluate opportunities for stand­alone energy operation. Biochar Solutions will set up the biochar unit for operation and evaluation at a site in northern California. The unit will be tested with multiple feedstocks. Biochar Solutions will provide input to Sustainability Analysis team members to support the economic analysis, market analysis and life cycle assessment tasks.

Adapt unit for field readiness and operation

Norris Thermal Technologies will upgrade their one ton per day torrefaction unit to be suitable for field operation. This will include modifications to maintain operability and durability during unit transport and to provide protection from the elements during outdoor operation. Norris Thermal Technologies will work closely with Schatz Energy Research Center to collect operating data that can be used to evaluate opportunities for field operation.

Scale up unit, and field deployment and testing

Norris Thermal Technologies (NTT) will set up their ¼ ton per day torrefaction unit at a field site in northern California and will test it using multiple feedstocks. NTT will work to scale-up their unit to approximately 15 tons per day of torrefied product. In addition, NTT will test the larger unit at a forest operations site. Finally, NTT will provide input to Sustainability Analysis team members to support the economic analysis, market analysis and life cycle assessment tasks.

Assess suitability of commercial briquetting unit

Pellet Fuels Institute will assess the adaptability of existing commercial biomass briquetting equipment for use in or near woods to process a variety of forest residue types. Forest residues that have been comminuted in the woods will be processed into densified briquettes and torrefied wood will be tested as a feedstock for briquetting. Modifications needed for field operation will be evaluated and/or implemented. Pellet Fuels Institute will address issues inherent in creating a field deployable system, including the necessary support and material handling equipment.

Operate a briquetting unit

Pellet Fuels Institute will operate a briquetting unit at a site in Oregon during Year 1 to create sample outputs. During this period, Pellet Fuels Institute will work closely with Schatz Energy Research Center to characterize the electricity and heat/fuel drying requirements of a briquetting unit. During Year 2, Pellet Fuels Institute will set up a briquetting unit for operation at a field site and/or will implement similar alternative densification strategies aimed at improving the economics of forest biomass utilization. Pellet Fuels Institute will provide input to Sustainability Analysis team members to support the economic analysis, market analysis and life cycle assessment tasks.

Assess potential to utilize waste heat for energy input needs

Schatz Energy Research Center will evaluate the potential to recover waste heat in a usable format to provide energy input needs for biomass conversion technologies. This will include generation of electrical power from available waste heat. Energy sources to be considered include waste heat from the biomass conversion technologies and other onsite sources such as waste heat from diesel powered grinders used for biomass comminution. Once potential heat sources have been measured, the team will assess several heat-­to-­electricity generation technologies, including organic Rankine cycle generators. Schatz Energy Research Center will also assess the ability of respective biomass conversion devices to utilize power generated from the heat­-to-­power devices, in particular load­-following performance and the need for thermal or electrical energy storage.

Test biomass conversion technologies under field conditions

Working in close collaboration with the Conversion Technologies partners, Schatz Energy Research Center will coordinate and lead activities associated with comparative testing of the biomass conversion technologies at forest operations sites using target feedstocks. Schatz Energy Research Center’s role will include instrumentation, infield monitoring, and analysis of system performance. The measurements will include input fuel and output product characteristics, fuel and product mass flow rates, emissions, and auxiliary energy use. Economic and operational parameters such as labor utilization, operation and maintenance needs, and startup and shutdown requirements will also be recorded.

Perform data analysis and report on outcomes

Schatz Energy Research Center will assemble, organize, and archive data collected from field operation of the biomass conversion technologies. Schatz Energy Research Center will analyze the data and prepare internal reports comparing measured parameters for the different forest residue types and species studied. Analysis of the data, including modeling of hypothetical operating scenarios, will be used to draw conclusions about the ability to operate commercial scale biomass conversion technologies independent of outside energy sources, feasibility of product scale­-up, and potential for operating equipment jointly to make the best use of energy and material outputs. Schatz Energy Research Center will take primary responsibility for contributing material on Conversion Technologies outcomes for the final project report.

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Feedstock Development

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Sustainability Analysis

Who we are

Waste to Wisdom is an innovative biomass research project funded by a $5.88 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy under the Biomass Research and Development Initiative program: Award Number DE-EE0006297. Humboldt State University and 15 regional partners are building on existing research on the conversion of forest residues into bioenergy and other valuable bio-based products.

Project Leaders

US Department of Energy
Humboldt State University