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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - ABC-SALT (Advanced Biomass Catalytic Conversion to Middle Distillates in Molten Salts)

Teaser

Summary

The introduction of sustainable biofuels for the transportation sector is a major ambition of the EU to reduce CO2 emissions. The ABC-SALT (Advanced Biomass Catalytic Conversion to Middle Distillates in Molten Salts) project aims to provide an innovative cost-effective technical solution for the production of sustainable biofuels in the middle distillate range. Lignocellulosic waste streams (including forestry residues, straw and lignins from the paper and pulp industries) will be converted through an advanced thermochemical conversion process involving biomass liquefaction, catalytic hydro-pyrolysis of the biomass in a molten salt environment, followed by the catalytic hydro-deoxygenation of the vapour phase. An overall yield of 35 %, with more than 2/3 in the middle distillate range is targeted for (all based on dry biomass input). The groundbreaking step beyond the state of the art is the use of molten salts to solubilize and hydro-pyrolyse the lignocellulosic waste streams. With this approach, higher middle distillates yields are anticipated compared to existing processes. ABC-SALT aims to provide the proof of concept for this advanced technology by operating an integrated lab scale reactor over extended runtimes at a minimum scale of 100 g/h input.
In addition, the techno-economic viability of the technology (substrates availability and supply chain, future end-users and economic sustainability of the process) will be assessed. Moreover, studies in the social domain will be conducted including investigations of the possible barriers for social acceptance of sustainable biofuels in general and the middle distillates derived from the ABC-SALT process in particular.

Work performed

Studies on the techno-economic viability of the ABC salt concept have been initiated (WP2). A basic, flexible flow sheet model was prepared and will be fed with actual data from the other technical work packages in due course. Initial black-box calculations were conducted with lignin as feedstock to obtain possible product distributions for the ABC-Salt process. A preliminary techno economic assessment with an emphasis on investment costs was conducted using a methodology suitable for early stage projects with high uncertainties. To evaluate the socio-economic acceptance of biomass conversion in molten salts, a stakeholder map within each one of the partner countries was drafted. Stakeholders have been selected on the basis of this mapping and a mailing list has been produced in order to collect a minimum of 32 interviews from M19 to M24.

In WP3, feedstocks have been selected (wood, wheat straw and lignin) and characterized in detail using appropriate (analytical) techniques. The most promising molten salt for ABC-Salt was selected based on literature data and experiments performed in the consortium. Selection was done using a multi-criteria approach and involved assessment of melting point, thermal- and hydrolytic stability. A liquefaction process using a dedicated device was developed and gave 92% lignin recovery at a lignin to molten salt weight ratio of 1 to 10, thus fulfilling the WP3 objective. This option is thus a promising option to transfer the salt-lignin solution/slurry into the subsequent hydro-pyrolysis unit.

For the conversion of the liquefied biomass to MDâ€™s using hydropyrolysis, the emphasis in the first period has been mainly on pyrolysis (WP4) without the use of hydrogen. Atmospheric thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at different heating rates was conducted using the selected project feedstock and model components for full evaluation of thermal decomposition kinetics. The kinetic parameters were successfully determined using appropriate models.
Micropyrolysis studies, autoclave experiments and product analysis were performed using the selected feeds in the absence and presence of molten salts. It was shown that lignin monomers and oligomers are the main products in the liquid phase when using lignin as the feed, whereas lignocellulosic biomass results in a liquid product enriched in furfural and acetic acid.

To prepare for the demonstration of the integrated concept of ABC-Salt, preliminary results of WPs 3-5 have been compiled and used as input for a conceptual design. As a follow up, a preliminary flexible design (FEED) has been prepared and will be used to bridge the gap between the conceptual design and the detailed design of the integrated unit, foreseen in M24. The design data will be updated based on when experimental data become available from WPs 3-5.
Regarding communication and dissemination actions, a first newsletter and a first â€œPress releaseâ€ were prepared and widely disseminated. The plan for use and dissemination of results was updated and the first version of the data management plan was released. The first ABC-Salt Summer School (public event) was organised in August 2019 in Aston university.
As is evident from the high attendance level of all WP leaders and staff from partners at meetings, the consortium is committed to make a success of the project. 100% of the deliverables scheduled for M1-M18 were released up to M20, of which 76% in the M1-M18 (Period 1) timeframe.

Final results

ABCâ€SALT is an ambitious and challenging project and comprises an innovative route to sustainable middle distillates from biomass. Biomass derived fuels will be produced from several lignocellulosic waste streams including lignin-rich ones. The use of such waste streams, which are abundantly available at low prices, will help to overcome any feedstock limitations while keeping short supply chains.
The groundbreaking step beyond the state of the art is the use of a solubilized biomass source in combination with an excellent heat transfer medium (molten salt), which is expected to lead to higher biomass to hydrocarbon yields than existing processes, while combining all beneficial aspects of existing technologies. The integrated concept will be demonstrated at lab scale in a dedicated bench scale unit which will be the prototype for a future fuel production system in an industrial environment, moving the technology to TRL4.
The project will create and expand the knowledge on fundamental aspects of biomass conversion to transportation fuels. Biomass is known to behave intrinsically different than fossil resources, which are at the moment the feeds for transportation fuels. It will allow Europe to produce costâ€effective biofuels and will provide new dynamics in biofuel production technology with higher efficiency levels and lower production costs than current 2G biofuels have been demonstrated. Besides economic benefits, environmental and social benefits are foreseen. These include the use of biomass waste streams, which perfectly fits in the circularity principle and job creation by further development of the technology.
The scientific knowledge generated by ABC Salt will allow key stakeholders in the biofuels arena (e.g. policy makers, regulatory authorities, industry, interest groups representing civil society) to frame strategic choices concerning future energy technologies and to integrate them in the current and future energy systems.