Page 8 - Biomass Gasification, Pyrolysis And Torrefaction Practical Design and Theory

Contents

Preface xv
Acknowledgments xvii
About the Author xix

1. Introduction 1
1.1 Biomass and its Products 2
1.1.1 Products of Biomass 3
1.2 Biomass Conversion 7
1.2.1 Biochemical Conversion 8
1.2.2 Thermochemical Conversion 10
1.3 Motivation for Biomass Conversion 15
1.3.1 Renewability Benefits 15
1.3.2 Environmental Benefits 16
1.3.3 Sociopolitical Benefits 18
1.4 Historical Background 18
1.5 Commercial Attraction of Gasification 21
1.5.1 Comparison of Gasification and Combustion 22
1.6 Brief Description of Some Biomass Conversion Processes 25
1.6.1 Torrefaction 25
1.6.2 Pyrolysis 25
1.6.3 Combustion of Carbon 25
1.6.4 Gasification of Carbon 25
1.6.5 Syngas Production 26
1.6.6 Methanol Synthesis 26
1.6.7 Ammonia Synthesis 27
1.6.8 Fischer Tropsch Reaction 27
1.6.9 Methanation Reaction 27
Symbols and Nomenclature 27

2. Economic Issues of Biomass Energy Conversion 29
2.1 Introduction 29
2.2 Biomass Availability and Products 30
2.2.1 Availability Assessment 30
2.2.2 Product Revenue from Biomass Conversion 33
2.3 Biomass Conversion Process Plant Equipment and Cost 34
2.3.1 Biomass Collection System 35
2.3.2 Preprocessing 35
2.3.3 Gasifier Cost 36

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