Biomass Waste EFW: Difference between revisions

From Wikiwaste
Bin52 (talk | contribs)
m minor text changes
Bin52 (talk | contribs)
text changes
Line 1: Line 1:
The generation of energy from [[Biomass]] covers a broad range of input materials and technologies for recovering the energy - from [[Combustion]] and [[ERF]] of waste based [[Biomass]] such as [[Wood Waste]] to [[Combustion]] of dedicated crops and virgin materials such as wood, and the indirect recovery of energy from [[Anaerobic Digestion]] of food and crops. Indeed [[Residual Waste EFW]] does itself have an element of [[Biomass]] and this can also be considered to the degree that this is the case.
[[Category:Technologies & Solutions]]
[[Category:Technologies & Solutions]]
==Overview==
==Overview==
Biomass is a feedstock for energy from waste processes. It is used in several different forms to produce energy and this effects the amount of power generated due to differences in variables like [[Moisture Content]] and [[Calorific Value]]. The different forms of biomass used in [[EfW]] processes are outlined below in the table<ref name='bio1'>Tolvik Consulting Ltd, 2017. [https://www.tolvik.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Tolvik-UK-Biomass-Statistics-2017-2.pdf UK Dedicated Biomass Statistics - 2017.] [online] [Accessed 13 Nov. 2019].</ref>.
Different [[Biomass]] can be used as a feedstock for [[Energy from Waste]] processes. The table below summarize the Biomass was used in 2017 to generate energy (excluding the [[Biomass]] content of [[Residual Waste]] in [[Residual Waste EFW]] <ref name='bio1'>Tolvik Consulting Ltd, 2017. [https://www.tolvik.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Tolvik-UK-Biomass-Statistics-2017-2.pdf UK Dedicated Biomass Statistics - 2017.] [online] [Accessed 13 Nov. 2019].</ref>. [[EfW]] plants that operate using [[Biomass]] as a feedstock can be considered as producing [[Renewable Energy]]<ref>Defra, 2014 in proportion to the amount of [[Biomass]] used in line with the [[ROC]] and [[CFD]] regimes.[https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284612/pb14130-energy-waste-201402.pdf Energy from waste A guide to the debate February 2014 (revised edition).] London.</ref>. [[Biomass]] can be considered a renewable fuel because the growth of [[Biomass]] removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in components of [[Biomass]] such as soil, plants and trees, acting as temporary carbon storage<ref name='bio5'>Office for National Statistics, 2019. [https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/articles/aburningissuebiomassisthebiggestsourceofrenewableenergyconsumedintheuk/2019-08-30 A burning issue: biomass is the biggest source of renewable energy consumed in the UK - Office for National Statistics.] [online] Office for National Statistics. [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].</ref>. Biomass is the largest source of renewable energy in the UK<ref name='bio5' />.


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Waste !! Overview !! Tonnage (mt) '16-'17 !! Power Generated (GWh) '16-'17  
! Biomass !! Overview !! Tonnage (mt) '16-'17 !! Power Generated (GWh) '16-'17  
|-
|-
| [[Wood Waste]] || Defined by the Wood Recycling Association Grading structure of A-C Wood tonnage fluctuates marginally throughout the year with the highest tonnages available during the summer months. The tonnage of wood is also heavily influenced by the level of activity in the construction sector although other sources are commercial packaging and wood delivered to household recycling sites. As of Qtr 1 2019 there are currently 23 waste wood facilities operating in the UK with another 3 taking a combination of waste wood and virgin wood and one a mixture of wood and MBM; 7 facilities are currently under construction. || 1.63 || 1273
| [[Wood Waste]] || As of Qtr 1 2019 there are currently 23 [[Wood Waste]] facilities operating in the UK with another 3 taking a combination of [[Wood Waste]] and [[Virgin Wood]] and one a mixture of [[Wood Waste]] and [[MBM]]; 7 facilities are currently under construction|| 1.63 || 1273
|-
|-
| [[Meat and Bone Meal]] ([[MBM]]) || MBM is the product of the rendering industry and under the [[ABPR|Animal By-Products Regulations]] can only be disposed of via incineration with Category 2 disposed of by pressure rendering and then at an approved AD facility. Very little Cat. 2 material is processed separately from Cat. 1 so the main focus of the analysis is on Cat. 1. As of Qtr 1 2019 there are only two main facilities treating this waste stream with a third due on line at some point in the near future. Industry prediction is that this waste stream is expected to remain in balance. || 0.18 || 145
| [[Meat and Bone Meal]] ([[MBM]]) || As of Qtr 1 2019 there are only two main facilities treating this waste stream with a third due on line at some point in the near future || 0.18 || 145
|-
|-
| [[Agricultural]] || Includes straw and poultry litter (which is the by-product of the poultry industry and comprises excreta, spoiled feed, feathers and bedding material which is all readily combustible). There are four plants currently in operation treating in the region of 1.0Mtpa with the dominant markets for straw (animal bedding/feed) taking up around 80% of supply. Poultry Litter is sent to three large scale facilities with remaining tonnage sent to AD facilities and used in agriculture as a fertiliser. || 1.37 || 1225
| [[Agricultural Waste]] || There are four plants currently in operation treating in the region of 1.0Mtpa with the dominant markets for straw (animal bedding/feed) taking up around 80% of supply. Poultry Litter is sent to three large scale facilities with remaining tonnage sent to AD facilities and used in agriculture as a fertilizer. || 1.37 || 1225
|-
|-
| [[Sewage Sludge EFW|Sewage Sludge]] || This waste stream is now managed exclusively in the UK as part of waste water integrated treatment process by the sewerage undertakers (two plants operated by Thames Water and the third by United Utilities). The trend in the sector is increasingly to use advanced AD to extract energy from the biogas generated. || 0.10 || 23
| [[Sewage Sludge EFW|Sewage Sludge]] || Now managed exclusively in the UK as part of waste water integrated treatment process by the [[Sewerage Undertakers]] (two plants operated by [[Thames Water]] and the third by [[United Utilities]]). The trend in the sector is increasingly to use advanced [[AD]] to extract energy from the [[Biogas]] generated. || 0.10 || 23
|-
|-
| [[Process Residues]] || By-products from processing all forms of biomass that have significant energy potential and include kernels, shavings, sawdust, chaff) etc. As these residues are already collected at the point of processing they can be relatively inexpensive sources of biomass.  || 0.09 || 45
| [[Process Residues]] || By-products from processing all forms of biomass that have significant energy potential and include kernels, shavings, sawdust, chaff) etc|| 0.09 || 45
|-
|-
| [[Liquid Biomass]] || Also known as biofuel and is any kind of liquid produced from solid matter e.g. vegetable oils from sunflower, rapeseed or recycled vegetable oils, alcohol based fuels from fermented plant matter, corn etc. || NA || NA
| [[Liquid Biomass]] || Also known as [[Biofuel]] and is any kind of liquid produced from solid matter|| NA || NA
|-
|-
| [[Virgin Wood]] & [[Energy Crops]] || There are currently 15 biomass facilities in operation taking virgin wood with another four taking a combination of waste wood and virgin wood; two remain under construction. Total MW capacity for the operational plants equates to 145 MWe. Energy crops ( Miscanthus, Short Rotation Coppice/Willow) represent less than 2% of the overall biomass market. || 2.36 || 1516
| [[Virgin Wood]] & [[Energy Crops]] || There are currently 15 biomass facilities in operation taking [[Virgin Wood]] with another four taking a combination of [[Wood Waste]] and [[Virgin Wood]]; two remain under construction || 2.36 || 1516
|-
|-
| Total || || 5.73 || 4226
| Total || || 5.73 || 4226
|}
|}


Additionally, the details of the generating facility can affect the power output, for example the scale, technology used, or its ability to cogenerate heat and power<ref name='bio1'/>.
[[File:Tolvik Biomass Map.jpg|800px|center|Tolvik Biomass Map]]


EfW plants that operate using only biomass as a feedstock can be considered as producing renewable energy<ref>Defra, 2014. [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/284612/pb14130-energy-waste-201402.pdf Energy from waste A guide to the debate February 2014 (revised edition).] London.</ref>. Biomass can be considered a renewable fuel because the growth of biomass removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in components of biomass such as soil, plants and trees, acting as temporary carbon storage<ref name='bio5'>Office for National Statistics, 2019. [https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/environmentalaccounts/articles/aburningissuebiomassisthebiggestsourceofrenewableenergyconsumedintheuk/2019-08-30 A burning issue: biomass is the biggest source of renewable energy consumed in the UK - Office for National Statistics.] [online] Office for National Statistics. [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].</ref>. Biomass is the largest source of renewable energy in the UK<ref name='bio5' />.
Image above taken from Tolvik Biomass report<ref name='bio1' /> representing the main plants handling the tonnage summarized in the table above.


==Biomass EFW==
==Biomass EFW Sites==
In 2017, there were 39 operational Biomass EfW facilities in the UK with an electrical output exceeding 2.5 MW; the total biomass capacity of these plants is 5.73 Mt (excluding fuel imported by Drax), and these plants combined produced 4,226 GWh of power. The biomass capacity of UK EfW plants is generally increasing. From 2016-2017 the amount of biomass being processed by UK facilities increased by 6.9%<ref name='bio1' />.
In 2017, there were 39 operational Biomass EfW facilities in the UK with an electrical output exceeding 2.5 MW; the total [[Biomass]] capacity of these plants is 5.73 Mt (excluding fuel imported by [[Drax]]), and these plants combined produced 4,226 GWh of power. The [[Biomass]] capacity of UK [[EfW]] plants is generally increasing, and from 2016-2017 the amount of [[Biomass]] being processed by UK facilities increased by 6.9%<ref name='bio1' />.


An example of a Biomass EfW facility in the UK is [[Welland Bio Power]] in [[Northamptonshire County Council|Northamptonshire]], accepting 72,000 tonnes of [[Waste Wood|waste wood]] per year, and producing 10.6 MWe (gross) of low carbon electricity. [[Welland Bio Power]] utilises [[Nexterra]] [[Gasification]] technology and was developed by [[CoGen Limited]]<ref>CoGen, 2019. [https://www.cogenuk.com/projects Projects — CoGen. [online] CoGen.] [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].</ref>.
An example of a Biomass EfW facility in the UK is [[Welland Bio Power]] in [[Northamptonshire County Council|Northamptonshire]], accepting 72,000 tonnes of [[Wood Waste|waste wood]] per year, and producing 10.6 MWe (gross) of electricity. [[Welland Bio Power]] utilizes [[Nexterra]] [[Gasification]] technology and was developed by [[CoGen Limited]]<ref>CoGen, 2019. [https://www.cogenuk.com/projects Projects — CoGen. [online] CoGen.] [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].</ref>.


==[[Residual Waste EFW]]==
 
Energy from Waste plants that use [[Waste Derived Fuel]] ([[WDF]]) but do not exclusively accept biomass will still have a portion of biomass in their feedstock. Often this is quantified as the amount of the C-14 isotope in the fuel compared to total carbon in the feedstock. This is an important parameter as the heat/electricity produced from an [[EfW]] plant that can be classified as renewable (and therefore eligible for subsidies e.g. [[ROC]], [[RHI]]) is derived from the biogenic portion of the feedstock. Moreover, the amount of biogenic content relates to landfill cost saved by diverting this waste away from landfill<ref>WRAP, 2019. [http://www.wrap.org.uk/sites/files/wrap/WDF_Classification_6P%20pdf.pdf. A Classification Scheme to Define the Quantity of Waste Derived Fuels. Wrap.org.uk.] [online] [Accessed 1 Nov. 2019]</ref>. This quantity of biomass in the feedstock also forms the basis of the [[Renewable Qualifying Multiplier]] ([[RQM]]) to calculate the quantity of payments made to a generator in line with the [[Contract for Difference]] ([[CfD]]) scheme<ref>LCCC, 2019. [https://www.lowcarboncontracts.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Contracts%20for%20Difference%20-%20Generator%20Guide%20Feb%202019.pdf Contracts for Difference Generator Guide. Low Carbon Contracts Company.] London.</ref>.
==[[Biomass]] in [[Residual Waste EFW]]==
[[Energy from Waste]] plants that use [[Waste Derived Fuel]] ([[WDF]]) but do not exclusively accept [[Biomass]] will still have a portion of [[Biomass]] in their feedstock. Often this is quantified as the amount of the C-14 isotope in the fuel compared to total carbon in the feedstock. This is an important parameter as the heat/electricity produced from an [[EfW]] plant that can be classified as renewable (and therefore eligible for subsidies e.g. [[ROC]], [[RHI]]) is derived from the biogenic portion of the feedstock. This quantity of biomass in the feedstock also forms the basis of the [[Renewable Qualifying Multiplier]] ([[RQM]]) to calculate the quantity of payments made to a generator in line with the [[Contract for Difference]] ([[CfD]]) scheme<ref>LCCC, 2019. [https://www.lowcarboncontracts.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Contracts%20for%20Difference%20-%20Generator%20Guide%20Feb%202019.pdf Contracts for Difference Generator Guide. Low Carbon Contracts Company.] London.</ref>.


The non-biomass portion of waste feedstock (e.g. plastics) produce a similar product gas to biomass-derived gas. Additionally, they both have similar fuel characteristics, like high volatile matter content and low fixed carbon content. Subsequently, this enables similar processing conditions and gas cleaning techniques to be used in waste and biomass [[EfW]] facilities. However, significant differences do still exist between these two feedstocks, for example, generally higher ash content and higher content of other contaminants in a mixed waste feedstock and these warrant specific changes in the [[EfW]] process<ref>Waldheim, 2018. [https://www.ieabioenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IEA-Bioenergy-Task-33-Gasification-of-waste-for-energy-carriers-20181205-1.pdf Gasification of waste for energy carriers. A review. IEA Bioenergy], [online] ISBN 978-1-910154-56-4.  p.16. [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].</ref> and lead to more stringent control systems to ensure compliance with the [[Industrial Emissions Directive]].
The non-biomass portion of waste feedstock (e.g. plastics) produce a similar product gas to biomass-derived gas. Additionally, they both have similar fuel characteristics, like high volatile matter content and low fixed carbon content. Subsequently, this enables similar processing conditions and gas cleaning techniques to be used in waste and biomass [[EfW]] facilities. However, significant differences do still exist between these two feedstocks, for example, generally higher ash content and higher content of other contaminants in a mixed waste feedstock and these warrant specific changes in the [[EfW]] process<ref>Waldheim, 2018. [https://www.ieabioenergy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IEA-Bioenergy-Task-33-Gasification-of-waste-for-energy-carriers-20181205-1.pdf Gasification of waste for energy carriers. A review. IEA Bioenergy], [online] ISBN 978-1-910154-56-4.  p.16. [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].</ref> and lead to more stringent control systems to ensure compliance with the [[Industrial Emissions Directive]].


[[File:Tolvik Biomass Map.jpg|800px|center|Tolvik Biomass Map]]


Image above taken from Tolvik Biomass report<ref name='bio1' />.


==References==
==References==
<references />
<references />

Revision as of 18:19, 13 December 2019

The generation of energy from Biomass covers a broad range of input materials and technologies for recovering the energy - from Combustion and ERF of waste based Biomass such as Wood Waste to Combustion of dedicated crops and virgin materials such as wood, and the indirect recovery of energy from Anaerobic Digestion of food and crops. Indeed Residual Waste EFW does itself have an element of Biomass and this can also be considered to the degree that this is the case.

Overview

Different Biomass can be used as a feedstock for Energy from Waste processes. The table below summarize the Biomass was used in 2017 to generate energy (excluding the Biomass content of Residual Waste in Residual Waste EFW [1]. EfW plants that operate using Biomass as a feedstock can be considered as producing Renewable Energy[2]. Biomass can be considered a renewable fuel because the growth of Biomass removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and stores it in components of Biomass such as soil, plants and trees, acting as temporary carbon storage[3]. Biomass is the largest source of renewable energy in the UK[3].

Biomass Overview Tonnage (mt) '16-'17 Power Generated (GWh) '16-'17
Wood Waste As of Qtr 1 2019 there are currently 23 Wood Waste facilities operating in the UK with another 3 taking a combination of Wood Waste and Virgin Wood and one a mixture of Wood Waste and MBM; 7 facilities are currently under construction 1.63 1273
Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) As of Qtr 1 2019 there are only two main facilities treating this waste stream with a third due on line at some point in the near future 0.18 145
Agricultural Waste There are four plants currently in operation treating in the region of 1.0Mtpa with the dominant markets for straw (animal bedding/feed) taking up around 80% of supply. Poultry Litter is sent to three large scale facilities with remaining tonnage sent to AD facilities and used in agriculture as a fertilizer. 1.37 1225
Sewage Sludge Now managed exclusively in the UK as part of waste water integrated treatment process by the Sewerage Undertakers (two plants operated by Thames Water and the third by United Utilities). The trend in the sector is increasingly to use advanced AD to extract energy from the Biogas generated. 0.10 23
Process Residues By-products from processing all forms of biomass that have significant energy potential and include kernels, shavings, sawdust, chaff) etc 0.09 45
Liquid Biomass Also known as Biofuel and is any kind of liquid produced from solid matter NA NA
Virgin Wood & Energy Crops There are currently 15 biomass facilities in operation taking Virgin Wood with another four taking a combination of Wood Waste and Virgin Wood; two remain under construction 2.36 1516
Total 5.73 4226
Tolvik Biomass Map
Tolvik Biomass Map

Image above taken from Tolvik Biomass report[1] representing the main plants handling the tonnage summarized in the table above.

Biomass EFW Sites

In 2017, there were 39 operational Biomass EfW facilities in the UK with an electrical output exceeding 2.5 MW; the total Biomass capacity of these plants is 5.73 Mt (excluding fuel imported by Drax), and these plants combined produced 4,226 GWh of power. The Biomass capacity of UK EfW plants is generally increasing, and from 2016-2017 the amount of Biomass being processed by UK facilities increased by 6.9%[1].

An example of a Biomass EfW facility in the UK is Welland Bio Power in Northamptonshire, accepting 72,000 tonnes of waste wood per year, and producing 10.6 MWe (gross) of electricity. Welland Bio Power utilizes Nexterra Gasification technology and was developed by CoGen Limited[4].


Biomass in Residual Waste EFW

Energy from Waste plants that use Waste Derived Fuel (WDF) but do not exclusively accept Biomass will still have a portion of Biomass in their feedstock. Often this is quantified as the amount of the C-14 isotope in the fuel compared to total carbon in the feedstock. This is an important parameter as the heat/electricity produced from an EfW plant that can be classified as renewable (and therefore eligible for subsidies e.g. ROC, RHI) is derived from the biogenic portion of the feedstock. This quantity of biomass in the feedstock also forms the basis of the Renewable Qualifying Multiplier (RQM) to calculate the quantity of payments made to a generator in line with the Contract for Difference (CfD) scheme[5].

The non-biomass portion of waste feedstock (e.g. plastics) produce a similar product gas to biomass-derived gas. Additionally, they both have similar fuel characteristics, like high volatile matter content and low fixed carbon content. Subsequently, this enables similar processing conditions and gas cleaning techniques to be used in waste and biomass EfW facilities. However, significant differences do still exist between these two feedstocks, for example, generally higher ash content and higher content of other contaminants in a mixed waste feedstock and these warrant specific changes in the EfW process[6] and lead to more stringent control systems to ensure compliance with the Industrial Emissions Directive.


References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Tolvik Consulting Ltd, 2017. UK Dedicated Biomass Statistics - 2017. [online] [Accessed 13 Nov. 2019].
  2. Defra, 2014 in proportion to the amount of Biomass used in line with the ROC and CFD regimes.Energy from waste A guide to the debate February 2014 (revised edition). London.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Office for National Statistics, 2019. A burning issue: biomass is the biggest source of renewable energy consumed in the UK - Office for National Statistics. [online] Office for National Statistics. [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].
  4. CoGen, 2019. Projects — CoGen. [online CoGen.] [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].
  5. LCCC, 2019. Contracts for Difference Generator Guide. Low Carbon Contracts Company. London.
  6. Waldheim, 2018. Gasification of waste for energy carriers. A review. IEA Bioenergy, [online] ISBN 978-1-910154-56-4. p.16. [Accessed 14 Nov. 2019].