Hydrothermal Torrefaction of High Moisture Content Biomass

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There is a lot of potential for biofuel and bioenergy production from forests and agriculture residues. However, delivery cost of biomass to a conversion facility is high and have distinct economic and technological challenges. Pipeline transport of forest biomass in the form of slurry (a wood chip-water mixture), on the other hand, provides an alternative approach that enables bio-based energy facilities achieve higher capacities. Biomass transported through pipeline in the form of a slurry with water would have high moisture content. However, integrating pipeline delivery with efficient hydrothermal (HT) biomass processing technologies could transform the bioeconomy. HT processes uses biomass in the form of a slurry and produces liquid fuel/gas/solids which can be used for production of fuels and energy. HT processing is a state-of-the-art thermochemical conversion using biomass feedstock with high moisture content (60-80%) especially in slurry form. This conversion process converts biomass into useful solid product with high calorific value and very low moisture content which can be for producing fuels and electricity. This integration of technologies can help in producing biofuel and power at significantly lower cost. This project is aimed at developing a transformative solution through integration of the pipeline transport of biomass with HT processing technologies. Pipeline transport helps in reducing the transportation cost compared to truck and rails and HT technologies help in processing biomass with high moisture content. Hence marrying these two technologies could be transformative and help in solving key challenges in development of a bioeconomy in Canada.