Biomass to energy and cogeneration

The term ”biomass” covers a wide variety of materials with very different characteristics.

Depending on its use:

• Energy: production of heat, steam, pellets, gas…
• High-value-added products, including chemicals and materials e.g..

It should undergo various transformations and handling in which DSEC is specialized.

Apart from the usage of plant biomass as fuel for the boiler (typically in form of pellets), DSEC did also gain a lot of experience in fractionation and usage of the different compounds towards various end products.

Typical pre-treatment methods include thermochemical conversion to produce syngas, bio-char, and bio-oil while biochemical conversion processes aim to produce bio-based chemicals or biofuels.

DSEC is has recently worked on the production of Black Pellets from woody biomass as a substitute to coal in industries power plants.

The industry is looking for alternative energy production meeting new requirements: CO₂ emission reduction, sustainability, self-sufficiency, co-product valorisation. Amongst all the biomass valorisations, biomass combustion is today still in first position in the green energy production market, even though wind and solar e.g. are gaining more and more importance. Biomass combustion serves for the production of steam via biomass boilers and will also be utilized to produce electricity via co-generation to become independent on fossil fuel and/or electricity.

DSEC’s experience in implementing cogeneration units built along with facilities for the production of fermentable grade sugar (derived from sugar beet, cane and grains) makes it a trusted partner for the construction of your biomass energy plants. 

Biomass to energy via cogeneration is a sustainable power source, its valorisation can be done through many different processes. The choice for the suitable technology depends on its various characteristics (moisture, size, ashes melting point, chlorine content, ashes content …).

Several applications can be developed, from heat production to power generation or even combined heat and power plant.

Through its numerous references in biomass valorisation, DSEC is able to provide the right expertise to the customer.