Expanding the biomass resource: sustainable oil production via fast pyrolysis of low input high diversity biomass and the potential integration of thermochemical and biological conversion routes.
Waste biomass is generated during the conservation management of semi-natural habitats, and represents an unused resource and potential bioenergy feedstock that does not compete with food production. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to characterise a representative range of biomass generated during conservation management in Wales. Of the biomass types assessed, those dominated by rush (Juncus effuses) and bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) exhibited the highest and lowest volatile compositions respectively and were selected for bench scale conversion via fast pyrolysis. Each biomass type was ensiled and a sub-sample of silage was washed and pressed. Demineralization of conservation biomass through washing and pressing was associated with higher oil yields following fast pyrolysis. The oil yields were within the published range established for the dedicated energy crops miscanthus and willow. In order to examine the potential a multiple output energy system was developed with gross power production estimates following valorisation of the press fluid, char and oil. If used in multi fuel industrial burners the char and oil alone would displace 3.9 × 105tonnes per year of No. 2 light oil using Welsh biomass from conservation management. Bioenergy and product development using these feedstocks could simultaneously support biodiversity management and displace fossil fuels, thereby reducing GHG emissions. Gross power generation predictions show good potential.
Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3EB, UK.
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J
Corton
Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3EB, UK.
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IS
Donnison
European Bioenergy Research Institute, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
M
M
Patel
Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, University of Kassel, Steinstr. 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany.
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L
Bühle
Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3EB, UK.
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E
Hodgson
Department of Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, University of Kassel, Steinstr. 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Germany.
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M
Wachendorf
European Bioenergy Research Institute, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
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A
Bridgwater
Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3EB, UK.
G
G
Allison
Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3EB, UK.
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MD
Fraser
Biocrude; Biomass availability; Conservation biomass; Fast pyrolysis; Integrated processing; Low input high diversity