The utilisation of biomass is increasingly important for low- or zero-carbon power generation. Developments in conventional power plant fuel flexibility allow for both direct biomass combustion and co-firing with fossil fuels, while the integration of advanced technologies facilitates conversion of a wide range of biomass feedstocks into more readily combustible fuel. Biomass combustion science, technology and engineering reviews the science and technology of biomass combustion, conversion and utilisation.Part one provides an introduction to biomass supply chains and feedstocks, and outlines the principles of biomass combustion for power generation. Chapters also describe the categorisation and preparation of biomass feedstocks for combustion and gasification. Part two goes on to explore biomass combustion and co-firing, including direct combustion of biomass, biomass co-firing and gasification, fast pyrolysis of biomass for the production of liquids and intermediate pyrolysis technologies. Largescale biomass combustion and biorefineries are then the focus of part three. Following an overview of large-scale biomass combustion plants, key engineering issues and plant operation are discussed, before the book concludes with a chapter looking at the role of biorefineries in increasing the value of the end-products of biomass conversion.With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Biomass combustion science, technology and engineering provides a clear overview of this important area for all power plant operators, industrial engineers, biomass researchers, process chemists and academics working in this field. - Reviews the science and technology of biomass combustion, conversion and utilisation - Provides an introduction to biomass supply chains and feedstocks and outlines the principles of biomass combustion for power generation - Describes the categorisation and preparation of biomass feedstocks for combustion and gasification

For a long time biomass was combusted mostly on a small scale. Now the largest biomass boilers are over 500 MWth. This chapter tries to outline the main methods for large-scale biomass combustion. The main boiler types are the grate and bubbling-fluidised bed boilers although circulating-fluidised bed and pulverised firing do play a role. Particular emphasis has been placed on emissions, the effect of fuel quality and operating issues.

This chapter addresses the large-scale combustion of solid biomass to produce heat and power without co-firing of fossil fuels. It introduces the combustion process with a specific focus on issues important in the combustion of solid biomass such as the condition and chemical properties of the biomass fuel, the increased fouling and corrosion of heating surfaces associated with biomass compared to fossil fuels, as well as ash properties and sintering problems. Finally, specific issues regarding the different firing technologies – grate, fluidized bed and suspension firing – are reviewed.

This chapter examines the fast pyrolysis of biomass to produce liquids for use as fuels and chemicals. The technology for fast pyrolysis is described and the characteristics of the main product bio-oil. This primary liquid is characterised by the many properties that affect its use. These properties have caused increasingly extensive research to be undertaken to address properties that need modification and this area is reviewed in terms of physical, catalytic and chemical upgrading. Of particular note is the increasing diversity of upgrading methods.

Biomass-fired steam boilers are finding increasing use in industrial-scale applications for both heat and power generation. This chapter compares the main technologies for biomass combustion – spreader stoker, mass burn and biomass bubbling fluidised bed (BFB)/circulating fluidised bed (CFB) – and discusses specific issues to be addressed in the design of biomass-fired steam boiler plants. Examples of recent biomass-to-energy plants are given in order to illustrate how project-specific factors influenced the design. A section is dedicated to non-wood biomass fuels and how their characteristics affect plant design. Conversion of existing coal-fired boilers to biomass firing is also discussed. The final part of the chapter deals with operational issues of biomass-fired plants.

Biomass is much too precious to be used only for the production of heat and electricity. Biomass and biowaste have the potential to be used much higher up in the value chain, e.g. as food ingredients, animal feed, chemical building blocks, materials, fuels, and phosphorous-rich fertilizer. Biorefineries will take over from oil refineries. A biorefinery can use all of the different components in optimized value-adding purposes. They represent the next generation of industrial biotechnology, building on the use of microbes and microbial products to convert biomass. The bioeconomy will be a prominent part of smart and sustainable society in the future.

The chapter discusses the biomass supply chain, which is responsible for supplying an energy conversion plant with the correct quantity and quality of biomass at the correct time. The chapter first categorizes the biomass and waste streams and presents analytically the biomass supply chain, discussing its structure and characteristics. It then reviews the latest advances in biomass supply chains. The issue of integrating biomass energy conversion into waste management systems is tackled and the advantages and limitations of using biomass, in supply chain terms, are presented. The chapter concludes with future trends in biomass supply chains and logistics, and proposes sources of further information.

This chapter addresses the categorisation of biomass followed by the preparation and conditioning of biomass before combustion and gasification, which are the main technologies for heat and electricity generation. The physical and chemical characteristics are described for a range of types of biomass, together with selected examples of the common European standards for measuring biomass. The chapter addresses the problems and limitations of selected fuels and considers future trends for fuels such as mixed biopellets and the potential use of marine biomass.

A comparison of fast and intermediate processes is given. New developments in technology are described for intermediate pyrolysis and an advanced integrative combination of biomass based processes is proposed.

The chapter gives an introduction to the main combustion techniques used for turning biomass into power and briefly discusses their relative strengths and weaknesses. The chapter also provides definitions of the main biomass types and discusses recent developments in the application of biomass for power production.