Green Biorefineries: The Green Biorefinery Concept – Fundamentals and Potential

Kromus, Stefan; Kamm, Birgit; Kamm, Michael A.; Fowler, Paul A.; Narodoslawsky, Michael

doi:10.1002/9783527619849.ch12

Cited by 18 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Collecting biomass on the surface of our planet is labor-intensive, is exposed to variable productivity due to seasonal growing patterns and is limited to a certain amount available per surface unit [3]. Hence, for larger biomass amounts large surface areas have to be harvested [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) plant as a decentral biorefinery for wet biomass

Hitzl¹,

et al. 2015

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The hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a very suitable process to transform wet biomass feedstocks into a peat-like material without drying the biomass input.Therefore, the energetic balance is more favorable than for alternative processes converting biomass as a whole. Further synergies can be achieved when the plant is employed as central hub for a regional biorefinery. Hence, a HTC pilot plant is operated with garden prunings and monitored during two years. It is shown that the elemental composition of HTC carbon is relatively constant. A carbon content of higher than 60%(based on dry, ash-free matter) is achieved. Fixed carbon content and volatile matter show low variation being the volatile content quite high with 61% on average. Dried in a post-process treatment which is less energy-demanding than drying of the raw biomass and pressed into pellets or briquettes the HTC carbon can be used as solid biofuel fulfilling the European standard (EN 14961-6).With a regional thermal valorization of the biofuel the ashes can be returned as phosphorous source to the crop land from which the biomass was harvested. Part of the process water, which involves a high amount of potassium, can be used for crop irrigation. In this way, valuable plant nutrients are recovered for soil remediation.Hence, closing the nutrient cycles a HTC plant can be considered as a sustainable local biorefinery producing a solid biofuel. Thereby, solar energy is exploited which was 2 fixed before by photosynthesis together with the carbon dioxide which is liberated in the combustion of the solid biofuel. Optionally, the process water might serve as an alternative source of energy as it is demonstrated that its carbon content can be exploited for biogas production.3 Graphical Abstract HighlightsThe hydrothermal carbonization process was monitored in a pilot plant over two years HTC carbon fulfills European standard for a type of solid biofuel HTC carbon ashes from garden prunings serve as source for plant nutrients (phosphorous)Potassium levels in the soil can be improved by irrigation with HTC process water Chemical oxygen demand of the process water can be reduced by 95% by biogas production

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hence, for larger biomass amounts large surface areas have to be harvested [3]. Furthermore, transportation costs for taking biomass to big plants increases with the distance between the collection place and the processing plant [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) plant as a decentral biorefinery for wet biomass

Hitzl¹,

et al. 2015

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“…The technology concept of a GBR represents an innovative approach to alternative applications of surplus grassland biomass. Analogous to the petroleum refinery, the basic concept consists of converting the raw material grassland biomass (grass, clover, alfalfa) as completely as possible in a single processing facility – avoiding waste production by whole crop use – into a multitude of commercially usable products, for example, chemical raw materials, fuels, fiber products, and materials 6,7…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Green biorefinery demonstration plant in Havelland (Germany)

Kamm

Hille

Schönicke

et al. 2010

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

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The Green Biorefi nery (GBR) is a complex and full-integrated system of environment-and resource-protecting technologies for comprehensive material and energetic use of green biomasses. GBR's are multiproduct systems and perform and produce in accordance with the physiology of the corresponding plant material preserving and using the diversity of the synthesis generated by nature. In addition to the general biorefi nery concept, GBR's are based strongly on sustainable principles (sustainable land use, sustainable raw materials, gentle technologies, autarkic energy supply, etc.). Existing agricultural structures of the green crop processing industry, such as green crop drying plants, offer good opportunities for the implementation of biorefi nery technologies that will help overcoming energy-intensive and partially obsolete technologies, such as the thermal drying of feedstock. Accordingly, the primary fractionation of green biomasses and the integrated production of proteins, fermentation media, animal feed, and biogas was projected and will be realized in a demonstration facility directly linked to the existing green crop drying plant, Selbelang, in Havelland (Germany, state Brandenburg, 50 km west of Berlin). The primary refi nery will have an annual capacity of 20 000 tons alfalfa and grass biomass and can be diversifi ed in modules for the production of platform chemicals and synthesis gas.We discuss the processes, products, operating costs and climate protection effects through examination of the basic engineering of the primary refi nery. The production site and planned demonstration facility are also presented.

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“…The cell contents of forages are comprised primarily of sugars, proteins, lipids and minerals (Kromus et al ., 2006 ). In the early stages of plant growth, cell contents may represent up to 65% of forage DM, with protein being a major component ( Fig.…”

Section: Cell Contentsmentioning

confidence: 99%