Latest Advances In

Biomass Processing

Technologies

Martin Groszek
Managing Director
Torftech Group

energ y to

so lid s

t o e n er g y

Using a variety of processes including the TORBED

Process Energy Technologies

TORBED is a registered trade mark of Mortimer Technology Holdings Ltd

Torftech Group

Torftech was first incorporated in the UK 26 years ago.

Our reference list comprises of over 150 units

We develop, license, provide and support the TORBED process energy

technologies and its users across a wide range of industries for applications
including:

Energy production from biomass, wastes and solid fuels

Regeneration, recovery, and manufacture of catalysts
Production and recovery of industrial minerals
Carbon burn-out in fly ash

Dry scrubbing of acid gases from exhaust streams

Precision processing of solid food products

Two Generic TORBED Reactor Types

Compact Bed Reactor (CBR)

Expanded Bed Reactor (EBR)

The TORBED Compact Bed Reactor (CBR)

The process gas stream lifts a shallow compact bed imparting
horizontal motion and subjecting the base layer of the bed to high
impact gas velocities and thus higher heat and mass transfer rates.

The TORBED Expanded Bed Reactor (EBR)

The process gas flow is
increased until it entrains all the
bed particles in a rapidly
spinning inner vortex.

Inner vortex from

which particles are
separated to the
outside wall

Particles separate by centrifugal

force from the inner vortex to the
outer wall before returning to the
base of the reactor creating a
diffuse toroidal bed.
The base layer of the bed is
subjected to high impact gas
velocities and thus high heat and
mass transfer rates.

Diffuse bed
of particles

Fixed Blades

Process Gas Stream

Expertise in Energy Systems

We have particular knowledge of process intensification
technology developed for these markets:
Drying of biomass or industrial wastes
Upgrading of biomass by torrefaction
Generation of thermal energy from biomass
and wastes
Devolatilisation of coal or lignite
Combustion of biomass and sludges
and combinations of the above

All of which contribute to carbon abatement

Definitions
Drying

Temp.
(C)

Torrefaction
(Roasting)

Devolatilization
(Pyrolysis)

Gasification

Combustion

80 - 140

~140 - 350

~350 - 650

650 - 900

800 - 900

Volatiles
remaining

100%

75% 90%

0 15%

0%

0%

Fixed
Carbon
remaining

100% FC

100% FC

90 100% FC

0 10% FC

0% FC

Process
Oxygen

Low

0% O2

Sub-stoichiometric
O2

Substoichiometric O2

Excess O2

Off-Gas

Water Vapour

CO/CO2/H2/CxHy

CO/CO2/H2/CxHy

CO2 + H2O

Solids

Dry Product

Some CO, CO2,

Organic Acids
Roasted
product
(smokeless
fuel)
Embrittled &
hydrophobic

Char product
Most volatiles
driven off
FC and ash
remains

Ash product
Low residual
FC

Ash product

Some Examples of
Energy Related Applications

Sludge/Biomass Drying

Sappi, Holland

Feed Sludge
Moisture: 67%

Product
Moisture: 5%
(Used as cement kiln
fuel)

Use Waste Heat

at 110C
6 t/h Paper Mill Sludge dryer: 3-Stage unit (4.5m / 3.5m / 2m)

It takes Nature 60 million years

It takes a TORBED unit 60 seconds !

250 350C
Torrefaction

Atmospheric Pressure
Inert Environment

Wood Chips
Grass
Straw

Torrefied Wood Pellets

Bio-Coal

Pulverized,
Torrefied Wood

Torrefaction Demo Plant

Gasification: Wood Chips

1 t/h waste wood TORBED gasifier generating a fuel gas for use in a rotary drier

Combustor: Paper Sludge

Atlantic Packaging,
Ontario
2.5m TORBED
EBR Combustor
6 t/h Sludge Feed
12 MWth
50-60% Feed
Moisture
Waste Disposal
Cost avoidance
GHG Reduction

Steam Generation
from Waste
Valuable Filler
Clays recovered

What sets the TORBED process apart from other

technologies?
Handles widely graded and irregularly shaped feed
Accepts high water content biomass feeds
Produces consistent, low carbon ashes (combustion)
Low pressure drop allowing easy process gas
recirculation for higher efficiency (gasification)

Very rapid start-up

Simple to operate and automate

High turndown ratios possible

No sand bed

Benefits of Intensifying the Process

Use of a smaller reactor unit, because of the faster
reaction rates
More precise processing and control
Ash qualities are superior and in some cases unique
creating additional value
Feed preparation is often not required

High turndown ratio routinely achieved

Torftech in Poland
Simple supply contracts 1999/2000
Worked with Licensee on smokeless coal, sewage
sludge and other fuels Czstochowa 2004

Current Collaboration Agreement Mostostal Dolny

lsk
Tests on Multiple Fuel Types
Fabrication and Equipment Service
Project Developer/Manager

Test Plant Swidnica

Projects In Poland

Stare ciepownie znikn z rynku

Firmy zapowiadaj wielomiliardowe
inwestycje w zakady produkujce ciepo i
zielon energi

Companies forecast multi-billion

investments in heating stations producing
heat and green energy

Rzeczpospolita 5-11-09

Project Requirements
Green/Yellow/Red Certificates

Equity Partners
Proven Technology

EPCM

Finance
Profitable Project

Operation

Maintenance

Fuel supply

Heat offtake
Electricity offtake

Permits etc
Insurer

Why CHP??
Average overall efficiency
CHP/separate process
90,0

81,2

84,1

80,8

80,0

80,0

74,0

70,0

60,0

48,5

50,0
36,5

40,0
30,0

37,1
29,6

24,0

20,0
10,0
0,0
steam
backpressure
turbine

steam
condensing
extraction turbine

internal
comustion
engine

gas turbine with

heat recovery

combine cycle
gas turbine with
heat recovery

Janusz Ryk
Polish Association of Professional Heat and Power Plants

Biomass Distribution (1)

The energy potential of

woody biomass
(voivodeships)

The energy potential of straw

(voivodeships)

According to the Institute for Renewable Energy

(www.ieo.pl)

Biomass Distribution (2)

2450

6170

Centralised Energy
Production
Biomass used at
Local/Gmina level
high transport costs +
higher carbon footprint

1320
3230
1680
4060

17490
4370

3600

4450
180

Encouragement for
investments in local
energy CHP plants

4940

4650

12030

5170

Boiler capacity surplus

930

Woody biomass surplus

Instutute for Renewable Energy
(www.ieo.pl)

Polish Gminy - Municipalities

2478 in 2004

Fixed Carbon
(%)

Volatiles
(%)

Anthracite

95

Bituminous Coal (low volatile)

80

20

Bituminous Coal (medium volatile)

72

28

Bituminous Coal (high volatile)

56

44

Sub-Bituminous Coal

50

50

Lignite

40

60

Peat

30

70

Bark

23

77

Wood

15

85

Straw

14

86

Fuel Source

Gasification Potential

Gasification Potential for Fuels

CHP Project Economics

CAPEX of CHP Plant

Electricity Market Green Certificates

CHP market Yellow/Red Certificates
1MWe cut off
CO2 credits
Cost of Biomass
Bio-char sales.

MZEC Swidnica
Full scale commercial gasification plant
Size of unit 1000 mm diameter
Multi fuel capability
Straw
Wood
Coal

Initial project co-firing with coal 5 MWth

Torftech
For more information please visit:

www.torftech.com