Wood Pellets for BioPower in

the US and in the EU

Anthony Baldridge, Tina Dreaden, Matyas Kosa, Kathy Woody, Christina Young
Art J. Ragauskas

07-14-2009
Georgia Institute of Technology
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Outline

What is BioPower?
Effect on Climate
Change
Forces that accelerate
BioPower research
Wood pellets
Production facilities
Markets for wood pellets
Chemical composition
Prospects
Ragauskas, A. J. et al. (2006) Science 311, 484-489
2

Biopower

Renewable biomass energy/ electricity

Biomass can be virgin or waste

Forests
Cultivated land
Sewage
Agricultural crop &
forestry residues

Petrou, E. C. and Pappis, C. P. (2009) Energy and Fuels 23, 1055-1066

http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/faculty_new/faculty_bios/ragauskas/ragauskas_biofuels_1.html

Why biopower?

Considerations:

worldwide energy
demand expected to
grow by > 50% by 2025
rising oil prices
global climate change
economic downturn in U.S.

Biopower from biofuels:

Decrease greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 & CH4)

Shift dependence away from foreign petroleum
Economic capital

Ragauskas, A. J. et al. (2006) Science 311, 484-489

Koh, L. P. and Ghazoul, J. (2008) Biological Conservation 141, 2450-2460
http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/faculty_new/faculty_bios/ragauskas/ragauskas_biofuels_today.html

Biopower applications

Electricity production

Residential space heating

Gas & coal fired power plants

Pellet burning fireplaces

Transportation fuels

Personal & mass transportation

Junginger, M. et al. (2008) Biomass and Bioenergy 32, 717-729

http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/faculty_new/faculty_bios/ragauskas/ragauskas_biofuels_today.html

Biopower Cycle

Image taken from: www.ornl.gov

6

Environmental Impacts of Cycle

Greenhouse gas emissions are of great concern.

Finding ways to decrease amount of emitted CO2 ,
CH4 , and other gases is needed.
Biopower addresses these by:
Using sources that can produce a carbon
neutral system/cycle
Use of animal waste can reduce pollution and
methane emission
Biomass (wood) use prevents wildfires which:

Globally are 40% of gross global CO2

emissions

Allows for controlled combustion uses

(180%) more efficient

Motivates forest understory gathering of

wood material
http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/faculty_new/faculty_bios/ragauskas/ragauskas_biofuels.html
7

Power Choices and Climate

Change
By adapting current
methods emitted CO2
and other greenhouse
gases could greatly
diminish.
Currently, wood pellets
are gaining use in co
firing plants that use
coal.
Biopower production is
rising in the United
States and Europe.
Substitution of fossil fuel
with biomass/ biopower
decreases net emissions
by 750% (note figure).

Image taken from: http://www.uscg.mil/d1/sfoSouthwestHarbor/Innovation/images/pellet_enviro.jpg

http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/solar.renewables/page/biomass/biomass.gif

Categories of biofuels

Solid biofuels

ethanol

Pellets, sewage, wood

methyl-palmitate

Liquid biofuels

Biodiesel (i.e., long-chain fatty acids),

bioethanol, biobutanol, green diesel

Gaseous biofuels

Thermal or microbial degradation of biomass used

to form biogas, i.e. CH4 or H2

Petrou, E. C. and Pappis, C. P. (2009) Energy and Fuels 23, 1055-1066

9

Pertinent research

Plant biochemistry & genetics

Biorefineries: conversion &

fractionation of raw materials
(polysaccharides & lignin) to products

increased yield, resistance,

sustainability

Direct energy, transportation fuels,

chemical products (solvents, plastics,
fragrances)

Production of biofuels

Cost reduction & efficiency

Ragauskas, A. J. et al. (2006) Science 311, 484-489

10

Biopower support

Global: International Energy Agency (IEA)

Bioenergy Task 40 (2003)

National: Obamas Economic Stimulus (2009)

Develop bioenergy trade to secure supply & demand in a

sustainable way
$54 billion towards green energy (research, tax cuts, etc.)

Local: Georgia Power will convert coal-fired power

plant to burn wood chips (2009)

One of largest biomass power plant in U.S.

http://www.georgiapower.com/nuclear/plantmitchell.asp

Junginger, M. et al. (2008) Biomass and Bioenergy 32, 717-729

Department of Energy, www.doe.gov

11

What are Wood Pellets?

Madefromwoodwaste
(e.g.sawdustandwoodchips)
Densifiedwoodparticles:
lessthen10%moisture
Cylindrical
Diameter:612mm
Length:530mm

http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/faculty_new/faculty_bios/ragauskas/ragauskas_biofuels_2.html
12

Applications of Wood Pellets

Household use
Central heating boilers:
Heat transferred to
water heater and heat
distribution system for
entire home
Stoves: Provide
heating and
cooking for a
single room

Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Plants
Woody biomass-fueled power
plants
Co-firing wood pellets and coal:
wood pellets partially substitute
for coal, decreasing net CO2 and
SO2 emissions with respect to
burning straight coal.

Fiedler, F. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2004, 8, 201.

Hartmann, D.; et al. Biomass and Bioenergy 1999, 16, 397. http://www.pelletheat.org/3/residential/burningFuel.html

13

Production process overview

milling

drying
Rawwoodwaste

(pellet-press or die)

Pelletisation

Woodpellets

Holm,J.K.;etal.Energy&Fuels 2006,20,26862694.
http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/faculty_new/faculty_bios/ragauskas/ragauskas_biofuels_2.html

14

Pellet Production
Pelletisation
(CompressionofPellets)

RawMaterial

Dryingand
Processing

Cooling

PelletTransport/
Storage

After the raw material is dried, it is extruded through cylindrical channels. The
friction between the raw material and the press results in compression of the
wood into pellets.
Wang,C.;Yan,J.InternationalJournalofGreenEnergy2005,2,91107.
http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/faculty_new/faculty_bios/ragauskas/ragauskas_biofuels_2.html

15

Compression of Wood Pellets

Vs.

Compressing pellets requires energy so why make densified wood pellets?

Dense particles give longer burn times and
higher energy efficiency
Lower transportation costs
Increases storage capacity

Obernberger, I. et al. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2004, 27, 653; Holm, J. K. et al. Energy & Fuels 2006, 20, 2686-2694.
http://www.ipst.gatech.edu/faculty_new/faculty_bios/ragauskas/ragauskas_biofuels_2.html
16

Current Production Plants in the

Southeast

Image taken from: http://www.pelletheat.org/3/residentail/fuelAvaliablity.cfm#south

17

Current Production Plants in Europe

Image taken from: http://www.bioenergyinternational.com

18

Market for wood pellets

Depends on:

Possible consumers:

Availability (cost of transport)

Heating-value/cost ratio compared to other fuels
Energy suppliers
Commercial/Industrial
Residential

Creating demand for equipment used in production

and consumption of pellets

19

Heating Value vs. Cost in the US

Pellet Fuels Institute

www.pelletheat.org

20

Energy Suppliers

Biomass is the only truly carbon neutral energy

DOE: 45x109 kWh/y from biomass in US
1 MWh of biomass power -> 1.6 t of CO2 emission is
avoided, hence substituting new carbon release
with recycling CO2 => reduction of 30x106 t/y
Oglethorpe as an example:

Building: 3, 100 MW biomass electric generating plants by

2015
Fuel: process round wood, primary manufacturing residue,
harvest residue
400-500x106 $/facility with 40 jobs in each
NRECA, Green Power, Ag Energy Working: 25% of energy
from renewable locally grown sources

Department of Energy (DOE)

USA Biomass

Oglethorpe Power
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association

Green Power EMC

Ag Energy Working Group 21

Other Markets

Commercial/Industrial:

Residential:

Examples: Theater (Elma, WA), manufacturing facility (Claremont, NH), farm (Sutton, Quebec),
prison (Walla Walla, WA)
Over 1 million homes using pellet stoves in the US, in 2008 (www.pelletfuel.org)

Equipment:

For pelletizing: mills, grinders, dryers, pelletizing, packaging

For consumers: silos, stoves, boilers

22

General Chemical Properties of

Pellets

high density ensures high heating value and

steady combustion behavior
lower water content -> better heating value
lower ash content -> avoid slag
binding agent, preferably natural like corn or
maize starch to improve pellet formation

avoid chemical glues which contribute to pollution

F. Fiedler, The State of the Art of Small Scale Pellet-Based Heating Systems and Relevant Regulations in 23
Sweden, Austria, and Germany.

Fuel Properties as a Function of

Chemical Constituents

Ideally, wood pellets should contain chemically untreated material

that is free of additives
However, sometimes this is not the case what results in pollutant
emissions, deposit formations, and corrosion issues
Emission - increased contents of N, Cl, and S as well as heavy
metals
Corrosion - increased heavy metals and Cl contaminate ash
Deposit formation - increased K - negative effect on ash melting
and contributes to higher aerosol formation

I. Obernberger, G. Thek, Physical Characterization and Chemical Composition of Densified Biomass Fuels
with Regard to their Combustion Behavior, Proceedings of 1st World Conference on Pellets, Sept. 2002, 24
Stockholm, Sweden, ISBN 91-631-2833-0, pg. 115-122.

Chemical Composition of Wood Pellets

(General Analysis)
parameter
diameter D
length
bulk density
particle density
water content
ash content
GCV
NCV
C
H
N
S
Cl
K
abrasion
starch content
Cd
Pb
Zn
Cr
Cu

unit
mm
mm
kg/m3
kg/dm3
wt.% (w.b.)
wt.% (d.b.)
MJ/kg (d.b.)
MJ/kg (d.b.)
wt.% (d.b.)
wt.% (d.b.)
wt.% (d.b.)
mg/kg (d.b.)
mg/kg (d.b.)
mg/kg (d.b.)
wt.% (w.b.)
wt.% (d.b.)
mg/kg (d.b.)
mg/kg (d.b.)
mg/kg (d.b.)
mg/kg (d.b.)
mg/kg (d.b.)

average
value
7.1
16.1
591
1.18
7.7
0.51
20.3
19
50.3
5.7
0.22
278
48
493
4.05
0.22
0.14
0.43
13.2
0.6
1.1

minimum

maximum

5.9
8.6
520
1.03
5.7
0.17
19.8
18.6
49.5
5.5
0.2
52
10
302
0.58
0
0.06
0.07
9.3
0.1
0.7

10.2
29.6
640
1.3
9
1.61
20.7
19.4
51.9
6.1
0.64
1,922
126
1,180
12.53
1
0.2
2
25.4
3
2.7

standard
deviation
1.2
5.2
39
0.06
0.9
0.3
0.2
2
0.6
0.2
0.1
454
27
252
3.52
0.42
0.03
0.44
3.6
0.8
0.5

38 densified biofuels were

studied (60%) were wood
pellets collected from 30
different producers
located in Austria, Spain,
Sweden, Italy, Czech
Republic, and Norway

Table/data adapted from: I. Obernberger, G. Thek, Physical Characterization and Chemical Composition of Densified
Biomass Fuels with Regard to their Combustion Behavior, Proceedings of 1st World Conference on Pellets, Sept. 2002,
Stockholm, Sweden, ISBN 91-631-2833-0, pg. 115-122.

25

Example: Wood Pellets, Sweden

Run
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
S6
S7
S8
S9
S10
S11
S12

Moisture
Content (%)
10
8.2
11.7
11.7
8.2
10
11.7
8.2
8.2
11.7
10
8.2

Fresh pine
fraction (%)
45
100
100
80
80
45
0
0
0
0
45
50

Stored pine
Spurce
fraction (%) fraction (%)
45
10
0
0
0
0
0
20
0
20
45
10
80
20
80
20
100
0
100
0
45
10
50
0

Fuel pellets production in Sweden is mainly from sawdust and planar

shavings of Scots pine and Norway spruce
Pellets were analyzed for moisture and composition

M. Arshadi, R. Gref, P. Geladi, S.-A., Dahlqvist, T. Lestander, The Influence of Raw Material Characteristics on
the Industrial Pelletizing Process and Pellet Quality, Fuel Processing Technology, 89 (2008), 1442-1447. 26

Pellet Standards Ensure Quality

Sweden - SS 187120

Pellet standard

Austria

Class 1

Class 2

Class 3

Diameter (d)
mm
Length
mm
3
Density
kg/dm
Water content
%
Abrasion/small particles
%
Ash content
%
Upper caloric value
MJ/kg

25
4 xd
1
0.6
10
2
0.8
0.7
16.9

25
5 xd
1
0.5
10
2
1.5
1.5
16.9

25
6 xd
1
0.5
12
2
1.5
<1.5
15.1

O-Norm
M7135
4-10
5 xd
1.12
10
2
0.5
18

Sulphur content

% weight

0.08

0.08

Nitrogen content

% weight

Chlor content

% weight

0.02

Parameter

Unit

Additives

Germany
DIN 51731 DIN plus
4-10
50
1.0-1.4
12
1.5
15.5-19.5

4-10
5 xd
1.12
10
2.3
0.5
18

0.04

0.08

0.04

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.02

0.02

0.03

0.02

Table 4: Pellet standards in Sweden, Austria and Germany

1bulk

density

2particle

in weight % <3mm

3amount

must be specified

4type

and amount must be specified

F. Fiedler, The State of the Art of Small Scale Pellet-Based Heating Systems and Relevant Regulations in 27
Swedent, Austria, and Germany.

Future of BioPower in the US

*only corn stover and cereal straw

Chart showing predicted BioPower usage, including wood pellets

versus the predicted cost of logistics for biomass, including: harvest &
collection, preprocessing, storage & queuing, transportation & handling
Table shows the predicted growth in biomass production, including:
corn stover, switchgrass, cereal straw and woody biomass

DOE, Biomass: Multiyear Program Plan, May 2009

DOE, Vision for Bioenergy and Biobased Products in the US, 2006

28

Future of BioPower in the EU

2005: 41 TWh/y of electricity from solid biomass and 13 from

biowaste
20% of all energy consumption must come from renewable sources
by 2020, according to the Renewable Energy Roadmap, as
accepted and published by the Commission of the European
Communities. Their goal of reaching 12% until 2012 most likely
wont be met however.
Reduce annual fossil fuel consumption by 250 Mtoe annually
600-900 Mt decrease in CO2 emission, saving of 150-200 billion
euro

Communication: Renewable Energy Road Map, Brussels, 10-01-2007

29

Main references

Petrou, E. C. and Pappis, C. P. (2009) Energy and Fuels 23, 1055-1066

Ragauskas, A. J. et al. (2006) Science 311, 484-489
Koh, L. P. and Ghazoul, J. (2008) Biological Conservation 141, 2450-2460
Junginger, M. et al. (2008) Biomass and Bioenergy 32, 717-729
Bain, Richard L; Overend, Ralph P. Forest Products Journal. 2002, 52, 2, 12-19
Fiedler, F. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2004, 8, 201
Hartmann, D.; et al. Biomass and Bioenergy 1999, 16, 397
Holm, J. K.; et al. Energy & Fuels 2006, 20, 2686-2694
Wang, C.; Yan, J. International Journal of Green Energy 2005, 2, 91-107
Obernberger, I. et al. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2004, 27, 653
I. Obernberger, G. Thek, Physical Characterization and Chemical Composition of Densified
Biomass Fuels with Regard to their Combustion Behavior, Proceedings of 1st World
Conference on Pellets, Sept. 2002, Stockholm, Sweden, ISBN 91-631-2833-0, pg. 115-122
M. Arshadi, R. Gref, P. Geladi, S.-A., Dahlqvist, T. Lestander, The Influence of Raw
Material Characteristics on the Industrial Pelletizing Process and Pellet Quality, Fuel
Processing Technology, 89 (2008), 1442-1447

30