STEAMBIO
Relevant project information
Dates
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Role of CIRCE
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Description and objectives
Superheated Steam Processing (SHS) has been implemented in several industrial-scale drying applications due to its superior heat transfer properties.
On a pilot scale, it has been proven that SHS can torrefy biomass up to temperatures of 300°C with minimal ligno-cellulose.
Unlike conventional torrefaction techniques, which use flue gas as the heating medium, the SHS does not contaminate the torrefied biomass and the collated fractions, allowing the economical recovery of the chemicals.
On the other hand, it is also easily scalable for continuous operation. At SteamBio, a transportable demonstration unit will be used in five rural locations where it will be used to torrefactor tons of six different agroforestry residues at a throughput of 500 kg/h.
The demonstration unit will be implemented at these sites during the last twelve months of the project, to take into account seasonal fluctuations in the composition of the materials to be valorized.
The torrefied biomass (solids and volatiles released) will then be validated as green building blocks in chemical production and bioenergy uses.
Life Cycle Analysis experts will validate that SteamBio will have positive environmental impacts, and a solid business strategy will be developed to ensure commercial application after project completion.
Value proposition
The objective of SteamBio is to demonstrate a mobile processing concept that will allow efficient pretreatment of agro-forestry residues for subsequent use as feedstock in chemical and process industries.
The technology on which the project is based is Superheated Steam Processing (SHS), and the main goals of the project around this technology are:
- Define the optimal processing parameters for the SHS (temperatures below 300ºC).
- Define the design of the SteamBio system, incorporating material handling, the SHS torrefaction unit and a fractionation unit to recover volatile compounds.
- Build the SteamBio system in a transportable trailer and to scale of the future demonstrators.
- Validate the technical and economic feasibility of the integrated process.
- Confirm the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the entire system.
Given its previous experience in other European projects related to biomass, CIRCE will lead the demonstration activities in the valorization of agro-forestry residues.
CIRCE will organize the operation of the mobile demonstration equipment in at least five demonstrators, ensuring safe start-up/shut-down, operation and relocation of the SHS unit and industrial demonstrations. CIRCE will also be responsible for the verification of the scaled outputs on energy use, and will participate in the validation in a full-scale installation.
Project partners
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V., Participating Institute: Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB, Heckmann Metall- und Maschinenbau GmbH, Network New Europe Limited, Comercial e Industrial Aries SA, Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, CIRCE, University of Strathclyde, Normag Labor- und Prozesstechnik GmbH, Urbion Consultores SL, Manrochem