Abstract
Biomass-based energy accounts for a notable share of renewable heat and electricity generation in Germany. Due to limited alternative uses, biomass obtained from management of semi-natural grasslands is a potential feedstock. Technical and environmental limitations exist in using this biomass for combustion, due to the presence of harmful elements. Converting biomass using integrated generation of solid fuel and biogas from biomass system (IFBB) produces a solid fuel with lower concentrations of harmful elements and a press liquid usable for biogas generation. In this study, solid fuel generation with a commercial scale IFBB unit was investigated. The concentration of harmful elements such as N, S, Cl, and K in the solid fuel was significantly reduced compared to the original biomass silage. Emissions during combustion of the solid fuel briquettes were below German legal thresholds. Elemental concentration of solid fuel obtained from commercial scale process had a significant improvement in removal rate of harmful elements than the prototype. Hence, the limitations of using semi-natural grassland biomass as an energy source were overcome. The commercial scale IFBB plant could be used in practice to handle large volumes of green residual biomass by converting it into a solid fuel with favorable fuel properties.
Highlights
The energy transition “Energiewende” in Germany aims to mitigate climate change by replacing fossil fuels and to realize a stable energy supply that is both economically feasible and environmentally friendly [1]
The mean reduction of Cl was in the range of removal rate of Cl from biomass after washing and mechanical separation confirmed by similar studies [43]
K and S was reduced by 88% and 62%, respectively, in this study, which were above the reduction rates of 84%
Summary
The energy transition “Energiewende” in Germany aims to mitigate climate change by replacing fossil fuels and to realize a stable energy supply that is both economically feasible and environmentally friendly [1]. Bioenergy involves mainly biogenic solid fuel (e.g., firewood), biogenic liquid fuel (e.g., ethanol) and biogas, which account for 27% and 86% of renewable based electricity and heat generation, respectively [2]. While politics focused on only electricity in the recent years, generation of renewable heat is increasingly supported. Mitigation of climate change is less effective when land-intensive bioenergy feedstocks are used, leading to detrimental climate effects and negative impacts on the ecosystem and biodiversity [3]. Enlarging the biomass base with residual biomass and strictly cascading the use of biomass can help in reducing the competition with land for food [5]. Potential biomass sources for bioenergy in the future should minimize conflict with food and feed production and have low negative impacts on the environment, i.e., water bodies, atmosphere, and biodiversity [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
