MINICOR Research

WP1 - Pyrolysis

The activities aim to optimize biomass pyrolysis for production of biooil for the MILD combustion/reforming process and biochar for nitrogen adsorption. To this end, the WP has the following objectives
•    Assessment of the residual biomass sources to feed the CO2 and nitrogen management process;
•    Identification of the optimal operating ranges of the pyrolysis.

WP2 - MILD combustion and dry reforming

The activities will include

• Study of single bio-oil component and biogas oxidation in model reactors
• Study of single bio-oil component dry reforming in model reactors
• Development and optimization of kinetic models for bio-oil oxidation and dry-reforming
• Identification of an effective range of operability of bio-oil and biogas in a cyclonic reactor for MILD combustion and reforming
• Development of a combined pyrolysis/MILD system (together with WP1)

WP3 - Pyrolysis modeling

To develop numerical models of the pyrolysis process, able to predict the composition of bio-oil and permanent gases released during the process, properties of biochar, and effect of feedstock variation. The model will allow for optimization of the overall process, e.g., the balance between pyrolysis bio-oil products and biochar formation. Pyrolysis model results are used as input for MILD combustion and reforming. Model predictions will, in turn, form input for life-cycle assessment of the process and optimization/control of the overall management process.

WP4 - Kinetic modeling

To develop and adapt chemical kinetic models to address issues of the biomass pyrolysis and MILD combustion/reforming processes.

WP5 - Porous carbon materials

Biochar products retrieved after pyrolysis will be analyzed, activated and evaluated for potential use as materials for nitrogen adsorption.

WP6 - Life cycle analysis

Development of a full life cycle analysis (LCA) for the final energy and carbon material product(s) from biomass feed by pyrolysis.  Quantification of energy and green-house-gas benefits compared with current decarbonisation concepts and potential integration in the existing field of carbon capture and utilization.

WP7 - Project management

The management has the following objectives:

• Organize coordination between the work packages.
• Organize internal and external communication.
• Organize project data management.

WP8 - Portfolio management

To coordinate the MINICOR project contributions to the Carbon and Nitrogen management project portfolio.