BTC- Biofuel Technology Centre
BTC is research pilot plant is designed for refining solid biomass and is also used as resource for education. We are working with wide spectra of solid biomass dealing with handling, upgrading and combustion. For defining different quality parameters we are doing sampling followed by chemical and physical characterization. The size of batches we are working with could be from a few kilograms to several tons.
What is the meaning of upgrading biomass?
Upgrading of biomass generally means processing to reach desired qualities. Examples of desired qualities are; high energy density, good handling characteristics, good storability and absence of process disturbing compounds/contaminations, etc. Stem wood has originally a relatively high quality by itself in terms of homogeneity and absence of process disturbing compounds. Other raw materials can for example have significantly higher ash contents. There is a consensus opinion that all demand for biomass in the future cannot be covered by high quality biomass. Also a lot of lower qualities must be able to be used. Future biomass energy systems are dependent developed methods for upgrading a diversity of raw materials.
Drying
Upgrading biomass usually includes one or several steps of drying. Raw materials from the forest usually have a moisture content of about 50 %. Drying is an often a necessary and expensive process for many industries. We have equipment for different drying techniques to work with at BTC.
Grinding and fractioning
In the pilot plant BTC we have several facilities for comminuting biomass. There are different machines for chipping, grinding, sieving and fractioning. These are important functions in the processing chain of upgrading. By means of sieving and fractioning valuable components can be extracted from a complex source of biomass. Methods for maximizing the yield of valuable components are important for future bio refineries.
Compressing to pellets and briquettes
In BTC we have advanced systems to make it possible to do complete designed multivariate studies for pelletizing and briquetting. By the system and with available instruments different types of biomass can be modified to desired moisture, particle size and density. The results i.e. energy consumption and achieved quality, from the pelletizing and briquetting of studies for different materials can be implemented directly to the industry. Scientific studies in designed experiments when the chemical and physical characteristics are defined could also be used for process optimization.
Combustion experiments
When an upgraded biomass to pellets or briquettes is evaluated, combustion tests are used. In different experimental set up measurements of particle and gas formed emissions can be carried out and the absolute concentrations are. The ash characteristics of different biomass are analyzed and the ash behavior in different combustion processes is studied.