BIOREF-INTEG

Development of advanced BIOREFinery schemes to be INTEGrated into existing industrial fuel producing complexes

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The overall aim of BIOREF-INTEG is to develop advanced biorefinery schemes to be integrated into existing industrial fuel producing complexes. S&T project objectives are: to make the production of biofuels more competitive, to identify and develop the optimal integrated biorefinery schemes for the production of best suited 'building blocks' in terms of processes and bioproducts, and to identify opportunities of various biomass-based sectors to produce fuels while increasing their market competitiveness by co-producing added-value products. Sectors dealt with are: sugar/starch (bioethanol), biodiesel, pulp/paper, conventional oil refinery, power production, food industry, agrosector. The project is performed by 7 separate but strongly interrelated workpackages dealing with: mapping of existing industrial fuel complexes in Europe (reference-cases); definition most promising added-value bioproducts; knowledge import from outside the EC; integral technical, economic and ecological system assessments to select most promising market specific integrated biorefineries; technology deployment; knowledge dissemination and training, and project management. The project is co-ordinated by ECN (The Netherlands). Other participants involved: 4 SMEs (ETC, TK, VFT, Bioro), 3 industries (Greencell, Cehave, Repsol), 2 universities (Aston, UGent) and 3 RTD institutes (VTT, WUR A&F, STFI). Project duration: 24 months. Total requested EC-grant: 995 kEuro.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

EU-funded scientists conducted a detailed technical and market study of integrating biomass refineries with existing fuel-production facilities. Results provide a roadmap for best return on investment in all respects.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Producing fuels, power and value-added chemicals from plants and other types of biomass is becoming an attractive, renewable and clean way to partially relieve our dependence on fossil fuels. In addition to providing energy-related materials, integrating biorefinery concepts into existing fuel-producing facilities is an important way to increase profitability and decrease overall environmental impact through the exploitation of numerous intermediate products and by-products.

EU-funded scientists initiated the project BIOREF-INTEG to evaluate this integration as regards seven specific biomass-processing sectors. The areas of interest are those producing biofuels (bioethanol and biodiesel), conventional fuels, power, pulp and paper, and the food and agricultural industries.

Researchers mapped existing industrial fuel-producing complexes in Europe and identified reference cases and integrated biorefinery concepts for each biomass-processing sector. They then identified potential raw materials and hundreds of promising added-value chemicals that could be co-produced with fuels. The project also drew heavily on biorefinery knowledge and experience from outside the EU.

Scientists then got to work on assessing the technical, financial and environmental considerations to compare reference and biorefinery cases. They also conducted technical feasibility analyses, commercial feasibility analyses (using market prices, proposed volumes, etc.) and SWOT analyses (assessment of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats).

Results showed that consumer perception of the products and processes is generally positive for all considered, making a strong case for public readiness for a bio-economy. Biorefinery concepts with low impact on existing production facilities were correlated with higher economic values, whereas commercial feasibility was unrelated to economic value. Processes involving thermal treatments such as combined heat and power (CHP) or pyrolysis are not yet industrially mature, as reflected by low technical feasibility and negative economic value. Finally, legislated subsidies play an important role in biorefinery integration.

BIOREF-INTEG has provided critical insight regarding technical, economic and environmental considerations associated with integrating seven specific biomass-producing sectors into biorefinery concepts at existing fuel-production facilities. Outcomes are expected to play an important role in the future of biorefineries to produce alternative forms of energy and a variety of other added-value chemicals.