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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The Clean Forest project aims to valorize forest biomass wastes (and then prevent their occurrence as a fuel source in forests), converting it to bioenergy, such as the production of 2nd generation synthetic biofuels, like bio-methanol, bio-DME, and biogas, depending on the process operating conditions. Valorization of potential forest waste biomass thus enhances the reduction of the probability of occurrence of forest fires and, therefore, presents a major value for local rural communities. The proposed process is easy to implement, and energetically, it shows significantly reduced costs than the conventional process of gasification. Additionally, the input of energy necessary to promote electrolysis can be achieved with solar energy, using photovoltaic panels. This paper refers to the actual progress of the project, as well as the further steps which consist of a set of measures aimed at the minimization of the occurrence of forest fires by the valorization of forest wastes into energy sources.
The aim of this project is to valorize forest biomass wastes (and then prevent their occurrence as a fuel source in forests) into bioenergy, more precisely, production of 2nd generation synthetic biofuels, such as biogas, biomethanol, bio-DME, etc., depending on the process operating conditions, such as pressure, temperature, and type of solid catalyst used. The valorization of potential forest waste biomass enhances the reduction of the probability of occurrence of forest fires and presents a major value for local communities, especially, in rural populations. Biogas produced can be burned as biofuel to produce heat and/or electricity, for instance, in cogeneration engines applied for domestic/industrial purposes. After the removal of forest wastes from the forest territory, this biomass is dried, grounded to reduce its granulometry, and liquified at temperatures between 100-200 ºC. Then, using the electrocracking technology, this liquified biomass is mixed with an alkaline aqueous electrolyte located in an electrolyzer (electrochemical reactor which performs an electrolysis process), using a potential catalyst, in order to produce syngas (fuel gas, mainly composed of CO, H2, and CO2). In a second reaction step, the syngas produced can be valorized in the production of synthetic biofuels, in a tubular catalytic reactor. The whole process is easy to implement and energetically, shows significative fewer costs than the conventional process of syngas gasification, as the energy input in the conventional pyrolysis/gasification process is higher than 500 ºC, with higher pressures, while, in the electrochemical process, applied in this project, the temperatures are not higher than 70 ºC, with 4 bars of pressure, at maximum. Besides that, the input of energy necessary to promote the electrolysis process can be achieved with solar energy, using a photovoltaic panel. In the production of biogas in the catalytic reactor, there is another major value from this process, which is the co-production of water, as Sabatier reaction converts CO2 and H2 into biomethane (CH4) and steam water, at atmospheric pressure, with 300 ºC of temperature, maximum, with a high selective solid catalyst. Finally, it is expected to produce a new bio-oil from this kind of biomass, with properties closer to a fossil fuel than wood bio-oils, which can be used as a fuel or as a diolefins/olefins source and, also, to produce, from forest biomass wastes, pyrolytic bio-oils with complementary properties and valorized characteristics. This can be used in the wood treatment or as a phenol source, for several industrial applications. A new and valorized application can be found for forest biomass wastes, which can be incorporated into the biorefinery concept.
The aim of this project is to valorize forest biomass wastes (and then prevent their occurrence as a fuel source in forests) into bioenergy, more precisely, production of 2nd generation synthetic biofuels, such as biogas, biomethanol, bio-DME, etc., depending on the process operating conditions, such as pressure, temperature, and type of solid catalyst used. The valorization of potential forest waste biomass enhances the reduction of the probability of occurrence of forest fires and presents a major value for local communities, especially, in rural populations. Biogas produced can be burned as biofuel to produce heat and/or electricity, for instance, in cogeneration engines applied for domestic/industrial purposes. After the removal of forest wastes from the forest territory, this biomass is dried, grounded to reduce its granulometry, and liquified at temperatures between 100-200 ºC. Then, using the electrocracking technology, this liquified biomass is mixed with an alkaline aqueous electrolyte located in an electrolyzer (electrochemical reactor which performs an electrolysis process), using a potential catalyst, in order to produce syngas (fuel gas, mainly composed of CO, H2, and CO2). In a second reaction step, the syngas produced can be valorized in the production of synthetic biofuels, in a tubular catalytic reactor. The whole process is easy to implement and energetically, shows significative fewer costs than the conventional process of syngas gasification, as the energy input in the conventional pyrolysis/gasification process is higher than 500 ºC, with higher pressures, while, in the electrochemical process, applied in this project, the temperatures are not higher than 70 ºC, with 4 bars of pressure, at maximum. Besides that, the input of energy necessary to promote the electrolysis process can be achieved with solar energy, using a photovoltaic panel. In the production of biogas in the catalytic reactor, there is another major value from this process, which is the co-production of water, as Sabatier reaction converts CO2 and H2 into biomethane (CH4) and steam water, at atmospheric pressure, with 300 ºC of temperature, maximum, with a high selective solid catalyst. Finally, it is expected to produce a new bio-oil from this kind of biomass, with properties closer to a fossil fuel than wood bio-oils, which can be used as a fuel or as a diolefins/olefins source and, also, to produce, from forest biomass wastes, pyrolytic bio-oils with complementary properties and valorized characteristics. This can be used in the wood treatment or as a phenol source, for several industrial applications. A new and valorized application can be found for forest biomass wastes, which can be incorporated into the biorefinery concept.
Description
Keywords
Forest waste valorization Generation of synthesis gas Biofuels Biorefinery Forest waste valorization Generation of synthesis gas Biofuels
Citation
GOMES, J. F. P.; PUNA, J.; MARQUES, A.; GOMINHO, J.; LOURENLO, A.; GALHANO, R.; OZKAN, S. - Clean Forest – Project concept and early results. Energies. ISSN 1996-1073. Vol. 15, December (2022) p. 1-7.
GOMES, J. F. P.; PUNA, J.; MARQUES, A.; GOMINHO, J.; LOURENÇO, A.; GALHANO, R.; OZKAN, S. - Clean Forest – Project concept and preliminary results. In VIEGAS, Domingos Xavier; RIBEIRO, Luís Mário - Advances in Forest Fire Research. Coimbra: Universidade de Coimbra, 2022, ISBN: 978-989-26-2298-9. P. 1597-1600.
GOMES, J. F. P.; PUNA, J.; MARQUES, A.; GOMINHO, J.; LOURENÇO, A.; GALHANO, R.; OZKAN, S. - Clean Forest – Project concept and preliminary results. In VIEGAS, Domingos Xavier; RIBEIRO, Luís Mário - Advances in Forest Fire Research. Coimbra: Universidade de Coimbra, 2022, ISBN: 978-989-26-2298-9. P. 1597-1600.
Publisher
Universidade de Coimbra