Carlo N. Hamelinck

Exploration of the possibilities for production of Fischer Tropsch liquids and power via biomass gasification

This paper reviews the technical feasibility and economics of biomass integrated gasification–Fischer Tropsch (BIG-FT) processes in general, identifies most promising system configurations and identifies key R&D issues essential for the commercialisation of BIG-FT technology. The FT synthesis produces hydrocarbons of different length from a gas mixture of H2 and CO. The large hydrocarbons can be hydrocracked to form mainly diesel of excellent quality. The fraction of short hydrocarbons is used in a combined cycle with the remainder of the syngas. Overall LHV energy efficiencies,1 calculated with the flowsheet modelling tool Aspenplus, are 33–40% for atmospheric gasification systems and 42–50% for pressurised gasification systems. Investment costs of such systems () are MUS

Global solid biomass trade for energy by 2020: an assessment of potential import streams and supply costs to North‐West Europe under different sustainability constraints

280–450,2 depending on the system configuration. In the short term, production costs of FT-liquids will be about US

CO2 enhanced coalbed methane production in the Netherlands

16/GJ. In the longer term, with large-scale production, higher CO conversion and higher C5+ selectivity in the FT process, production costs of FT-liquids could drop to US

Developments in International Liquid Biofuel Trade

9/GJ. These perspectives for this route and use of biomass-derived FT-fuels in the transport sector are promising. Research and development should be aimed at the development of large-scale (pressurised) biomass gasification-based systems and special attention must be given to the gas cleaning section.

Ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass: techno-economic performance in short-, middle- and long-term

The expected use of solid biomass for large‐scale heat and power production across North–West Europe (NW EU) has led to discussions about its sustainability, especially due to the increasing import dependence of the sector. While individual Member States and companies have put forward sustainability criteria, it remains unclear how different requirements will influence the availability and cost of solid biomass and thus how specific regions will satisfy their demand in a competitive global market. We combined a geospatially explicit least‐cost biomass supply model with a linear optimization solver to assess global solid biomass trade streams by 2020 with a particular focus on NW EU. We apply different demand and supply scenarios representing varying policy developments and sustainability requirements. We find that the projected EU solid biomass demand by 2020 can be met across all scenarios, almost exclusively via domestic biomass. The exploitation of domestic agricultural residue and energy crop potentials, however, will need to increase sharply. Given sustainability requirements for solid biomass as for liquid biofuels, extra‐EU imports may reach 236 PJ by 2020, i.e., 400% of their 2010 levels. Intra‐EU trade is expected to grow with stricter sustainability requirements up to 548 PJ, i.e., 280% of its 2010 levels by 2020. Increasing sustainability requirements can have different effects on trade portfolios across NW EU. Excluding pulpwood pellets may drive the supply costs of import dependent countries, foremost the Netherlands and the UK, whereas excluding additional forest biomass may entail higher costs for Germany and Denmark which rely on regional biomass. Excluding solid biomass fractions may create short‐term price hikes. Our modeling results are strongly influenced by parameterization choices, foremost assumed EU biomass supply volumes and costs and assumed relations between criteria and supply. The model framework is suited for the inclusion of dynamic supply–demand interactions and other world regions.

Future prospects for production of methanol and hydrogen from biomass

The technical and economical feasibility of CO2 sequestration in deep coal layers combined with enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) production in the Netherlands has been explored. Annually, 3.4 Mtonne CO2 from chemical installations can be delivered to sequestration locations at 15 €/tonne and another 55 Mtonne from power generating facilities at 40–80 €/tonne. Four potential ECBM areas have been assessed, of which Zuid Limburg is the best location for a test site, while the Achterhoek is more suitable for future large-scale CO2 sequestration. Between 54 Mtonne and 9 Gtonne CO2 can be sequestered in the four areas together, heavily depending on available technology for accessing the coal seams. At the same time, between 0.3 and 60 EJ of coalbed methane can be produced. The optimal configuration may have 1000 m spacing between production wells, and extreme inseam drilling. The price of coalbed methane may become competitive with natural gas when a bonus for CO2 sequestration is applied of about 25 €/tonne. For the long term, on-site hydrogen or power (SOFC) production with direct injection of produced CO2 seems most attractive. Further study is required, most notably more accurate geological surveys, assessment of drilling costs in Dutch context, and environmental impacts of ECBM.

Production of FT transportation fuels from biomass; technical options, process analysis and optimisation, and development potential

This chapter describes the past developments, current status, and trends in global liquid biofuel production and trade. Apart from providing quantitative overviews, it also elaborates why markets developed as they did. By 2011, close to 2,500 PJ of liquid biofuels were produced globally; over two-third of which were fuel ethanol and the remaining biodiesel. The feedstock base is exclusively regionally specific oil, sugar, or starch crops. Global trade in biodiesel has been and will in the foreseeable future be primarily driven towards the European Union, where renewable energy policies stimulate the consumption of sustainable transport fuels – although the EU biofuels market growth is slowing down. Fuel ethanol is largely produced and consumed in the Americas, with the USA and Brazil dominating global production, trade and deployment. International trade is both supply and demand driven. National support policies increased the domestic market value of biofuels and shaped demand side developments. Trade flows emerged where such policies were not aligned with respective trade measures. Import duties had the strongest effect on trade volumes while trade routes were influenced by tariff preferences. Most trade regimes appear to have been designed and adapted unilaterally along national interests causing market disruptions, trade inefficiencies and disputes.