Objective:
The objective of this project is to validate the performance of a prototype fast pyrolysis unit that processes fibrous wastes such as wood, land clearing debris, forestry byproducts, paper, and cardboard at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The system produces three renewable energy products: bio-oil, synthetic gas, and charcoal. The resulting bio-oil is similar to fuel oil #6. It will be evaluated for use as a boiler fuel. The synthetic gas reduces the external energy input required. The charcoal can be blended into the bio-oil or used as a soil amendment. This project will test various feedstocks available on Fort Bragg to determine the resulting quantity and quality of the three products, determine the energy value and environmental impact of burning the bio-oil in a Fort Bragg boiler, and document the environmental performance, energy balance, and product quality from the various feed stocks, as well as the cost-benefit.
Technology Description:
The Renewable Oil International LLC (ROI) system is based on innovations to fast pyrolysis and covered by three separate patents. The process works by feeding the ground biomass into a high-temperature chamber where the biomass rapidly decomposes under oxygen-starved conditions. The temperature is maintained at 1000 degrees F by steel shot that retains heat, acts as the mixing medium, and provides the decomposition surface for the biomass. The steel shot is a more efficient heat carrier than sand (common in traditional pyrolysis processes), and mechanical mixing is less energy intensive than the fixed-bed systems. The estimated capital costs of the system are one-third less than conventional pyrolysis, and the estimated operations and maintenance (O&M) costs are five to ten times less.
Expected Benefits:
The cost of bio-oil produced by this innovative fast pyrolysis technology is about 40% the cost of fuel oil #6. Based on current tonnages of waste wood available, the energy value of the waste wood at Fort Bragg is about $1.2 million per year and Department of Defense (DoD)-wide it is $142 million per year. Disposal cost avoidance is just under $1 million at Fort Bragg and $90 million DoD-wide. Intangible benefits include reduced fossil fuel demand, smaller construction/demolition landfills and potential for mining old landfills and returning land to mission use, fixed known cost for fuel, potential for growing all or part of the installation's energy needs on-site, alternative use of small diameter forest wood products to aid forest management, and increased use of renewable fuel in accordance with Federal mandates. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2011)
Principal Investigator:
Ms. Manette Messenger
US Army Installation Management Command Southeast
1593 Hardee Avenue SW
Fort McPherson, GA 30330
Telephone: (404) 464-0786
E-mail: manette.messenger@us.army.mil
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