The Feasibility of Using Microwave Induced Plasma Torrefaction for the Production of an Energy Dense, Carbon Neutral Fuel from Wood Pellets

在英国和其他地方，有真实的需要使能源生产去碳化，以便政府履行《京都议定书》规定的义务，并实现可再生能源发电的目标。使用可持续来源的木材阿萨燃料是减少与能源生产相关的二氧化碳排放的方法之一。然而，木材具有高水分含量、低能量密度，具有可变的燃烧特性，并且改造现有发电厂以用于共烧会产生相当大的成本。因此，能源部门越来越多地寻求通过烘焙来生产能源密集和可再生的木材“双煤”。烘焙是在没有氧气的情况下对木材进行低温加热，以产生一种炭状燃料，一旦制成颗粒，其性质与煤相似。然而，现有的烘焙技术的经济性还有待于在工业规模上得到证明，并且基于先前的试点活动，我们相信微波诱导等离子体烘焙（MPT）技术提供了一种更具成本效益的方法来烘焙木材。我们项目的总体目标是开发一个原型MPT示范反应器，用于经济有效地将木屑颗粒转化为生物煤。这项研究将汇集一个独特的项目交付财团，由Stopford Projects Ltd（SPL）和Liverpool John Moores University（LJMU）组成。SPL是一家多学科的工程设计和项目管理咨询公司，在绿色技术和能源项目方面拥有丰富的专业知识，从研究到工厂调试。该项目将研究使用微波等离子体技术对预造粒木材进行烘焙的可行性，以提高燃料燃烧效率并降低运营成本。该财团的目的是开发、测试和演示一个工业实验室规模的反应堆，作为该项目的一项产出，并开发技术和商业途径推向市场。与目前可用的烘焙技术不同，所描述的微波等离子体技术的新颖优点是该方法具有较低的寄生负载，具有显著较低的资本成本，具有对混合进料流的较大耐受性，更耐用，模块化，并且可能是移动的。因此，该技术为该行业提供了一种比传统工艺更有效和更具成本效益的处理和运输木质生物质的方法。该项目将在九个工作包中进行：工作包1：原料表征：（2个月）工作包2：系统规格和边界条件（2个月）工作包3：微波等离子体烘焙反应器设计参数（3个月）工作包4：设计和建造微波等离子体反应器（2.5个月）工作包5：实验和优化工作包6：流程绩效和分析（2个月）工作包7：与最终用户接触（2个月）工作包8：监管要求（2个月）工作包9：工艺放大和技术开发（3个月）

There is a real need to de-carbonise energy production in the UK and elsewhere in order that Governments meet theirobligations set by the Kyoto Protocol and meet renewable energy generation targets. Using sustainable sources of wood asa fuel is one such method of reducing the CO2 emissions associated with energy production. However, wood has a highmoisture content, low energy density, has variable combustion properties and there are considerable costs incurredmodifying existing power plants for co-firing. As result the energy sector is looking increasingly to torrefaction to produce anenergy dense and renewable "bicoal" from wood. Torrefaction is low temperature heating of wood in the absence of oxygento produce a char-like fuel that, once pelletised, has properties similar to coal. However, the economics of existingtorrefaction technology has yet to be proven on an industrial scale and based upon prior pilot activity we believe thatmicrowave induced plasma torrefation (MPT) technology provide a more cost effective way to torrefy wood. The overallobjective of our project is to develop a prototype MPT demonstration reactor for cost effectively converting wood pellets tobiocoal.This study will bring together a unique project delivery consortium comprising of Stopford Projects Ltd (SPL) and LiverpoolJohn Moores University (LJMU). SPL is a multidisciplinary engineering design and project management consultancy withsignificant expertise in green technology and energy projects spanning research through to plant commissioning.This project will investigate the feasibility of using microwave plasma technology for torrefying pre-pelletised wood with theintention of improving fuel combustion efficiencies and reducing OPEX costs. It is the intention of the consortium todevelop, test and demonstrate an industrial lab-scale reactor as an output of the project as well as developing thetechnological and commercial route to market. Unlike currently available torrefaction technologies, the novel advantage ofthe described microwave plasma technology is that the process has a lower parasitic load, has significantly lower capitalcosts, has greater tolerance of mixed feed streams, is more durable, modular, and potentially mobile. As such thetechnology presents the sector with a more efficient and cost effective method of handling and transporting woody biomassthan conventional processes.The project will be conducted in nine Work packages:Work package 1: Feedstock Characterisation: (2 months)Work package 2: System specifications and boundary conditions (2 months)Work package 3: Microwave plasma torrefaction reactor design parameters (3 months)Work package 4: Design and build microwave plasma reactor (2.5 months)Work package 5: Experimentation and Optimisation (3 months).Work package 6: Process performance and analysis (2 months)Work package 7: Engagement with endusers (2 month)Work package 8: Regulatory Requirements (2 month)Work package 9: Process Scale-Up and Technology Exploitation (3 months)