Technologies for Converting Biomass to Useful Energy: Combustion, Gasification, Pyrolysis, Torrefaction and Fermentation

Officially, the use of biomass for energy meets only 10-13% of the total global energy demand of 140 000 TWh per year. Still, thirty years ago the official figure was zero, as only traded biomass was included. While the actual production of biomass is in the range of 270 000 TWh per year, most of this is not used for energy purposes, and mostly it is not used very efficiently. Therefore, there is a need for new methods for converting biomass into refined products like chemicals, fuels, wood and paper products, heat, cooling and electric power. Obviously, some biomass is also used as food – our primary life necessity. The different types of conversion methods covered in this volume are biogas production, bio-ethanol production, torrefaction, pyrolysis, high temperature gasifi cation and combustion.

This book covers the suitability of different methods for conversion of different types of biomass. Different versions of the conversion methods are presented – both existing methods and those being developed for the future. System optimization using modeling methods and simulation are analyzed to determine advantages and disadvantages of different solutions. Many international experts have contributed to provide an up-to-date view of the situation all over the world. These global perspectives and the inclusion of so much expertise of distinguished international researchers and professionals make this book unique.

This book will prove useful and inspiring to professionals, engineers, researchers and students as well as to those working for different authorities and organizations.

Erik Dahlquist, Professor Energy Technology at Malardalen University, Sweden. Focus on Biomass utilization and Process efficiency improvements. PhD 1991 at KTH. He started working at ASEA Research 1975 as engineer with nuclear power, trouble shooting of electrical equipments and manufacturing processes. In 1982 he switched to energy technology related to the pulp and paper industry. Was technical project manager for development of Cross Flow Membrane filter leading to the formation of ABB Membrane filtration. The filter is now a commercial product at Finnish Metso. 1989: project leader for ABBs Black Liquor Gasification project. 1992: Department manager for Combustion and Process Industry Technology at ABB Corporate Research, also member of the board of directors for ABB Corporate Research in Vasteras. 1996- 2002: General Manger for the Product Responsible Unit Pulp Applications world wide within ABB Automation Systems. 2000-2002 part time professor at MDU, responsible for research in Environmental, Energy and Resource Optimization. Deputy dean and dean faculty of Natural Science and Technology 2001-2007. Member of the board of Swedish Thermal Engineering Research Institute division for Process Control systems since 1999. Receiver of ABB Corporate Research Award 1989. Deputy member board of Eurosim since 2009. Member of editorial board for Journal of Applied Energy (Elsevier) since 2007. 21 patents. Approximatly 170 Scientific publications in refereed Journals or conference proceedings with referee procedure. Author of several books.