A.V. Bridgwater – författare

This book provides an account of the state-of-the-art in thermochemical biomass conversion and arises from the third conference in a series sponsored by the International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Agreement. Fundamental and applied research topics are included, reflecting recent advances as well as demonstration and commercial innovation.

This work, based on the "Fourth Conference on Advances in Thermochemical Conversion" proceedings, covers aspects of thermal biomass conversion systems, from fundamental research through applied research and development, to demonstration and commercial applications to reflect recent developments. Aspects of bioenergy systems are covered from pre-treatment through to end-user applications with increased consideration paid to the environmental benefits and problems of implementing bio-energy systems.

Process Optimisation documents the proceedings of a three-day Symposium organized by the Midlands Branch of The Institution of Chemical Engineers, held at the University of Nottingham, on 7-9 April 1987. The initiative for this Symposium on Process Optimization came from Dr. K.C. Mecklenburgh, a Senior Lecturer at the University of Nottingham, who was Chairman of the Organizing Committee from its inception until his death in November 1986. Mecklenburgh was a scholarly man, an acknowledged authority on Plant Layout and Safety, and a man very active in all aspects of the Institution''s affairs. This volume contains 27 papers organized into three sections and follows the development of Process Plant from conception to operation. The papers in Section 1 discuss Project Selection, with an emphasis on financial implications, resource availability, and energy matters. Section 2 is devoted to Process Design where detailed optimization possibilities are considered including safety and hazard assessment. Section 3 covers Plant Operation where condition monitoring, revamp, and computing and control systems are all considered for optimization.

Biomass pyrolysis has been practised for centuries in the manufacture of charcoal for industry and leisure. Only in the last two decades, however, has attention focussed on a better understanding of the science and technology, with the resultant benefits of better designed and controlled processes that give high yields of liquid products. These liquids, or 'bio-oil' as it is referred to, can be used in a variety of ways: -combustion to replace conventional fuel oil in boilers, process equipment such as kilns and in gas turbines for power generation; -upgrading by hydrotreating or with zeolites to gasoline, diesel and other hydrocarbon fuels, of chemicals; --extraction and upgrading to fuel additives and chemical specialities. Any charcoal produced can also be utilised to form char- water slurries, analogous to coal-water slurries, or bioi-oil slurries which may be used as liquid fuels in many combustion applications. A group of experts was set up in the EC Energy from Biomass programme to evaluate the status and opportunities for deriving useful liquid products from biomass pyrolysis. This book is a report of their findings and conclusions. It forms an authoritative guide to the wide range of technologies employed in biomass pyrolysis, and product upgrading, utilisation and characterisation. Recommendations and conclusions are included to identify promising areas of research and development that will be of value to researchers, planners and companies throughout the world.

There have been many developments in the science and technology of thermo­ chemical biomass conversion since the previous conference on Advances in Thermochemical Biomass Conversion in Interlaken, Switzerland, in 1992. This fourth conference again covers all aspects of thermal biomass conversion systems from fundamental research through applied research and development to demon­ stration and commercial applications to reflect the progress made in the last four years. All aspects of bioenergy systems are covered from pretreatment through to end-user applications with increased consideration paid to the environmental benefits and problems of implementing bio-energy systems. There was an excellent response with over 200 papers offered and over 180 delegates from 29 countries attending the conference. The programme was divided into five main areas covering pyrolysis, pretreatment, gasification, combustion and system studies and this division is reflected in the structure of these conference proceedings. Each main section was preceded by a state-of-the-art review to provide a focus for the ensuing presentations and an authoritative reference. All the papers included have been subject to a full peer review process. As with any international conference, an important aim was to exchange ideas and discuss problems with fellow researchers, as well as to hear about the latest research and development and applications. A workshop programme was included to encourage this interaction in areas of interest selected by participants. The resul­ tant workshop reports provide a summary of topical problems and opportunities.

This conference is the second such meeting under the auspices of the International Energy Agency''s Bioenergy Agreement. The first lEA sponsored Fundamentals of Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Conference was held in Estes Park in 1982 and attracted 153 delegates from 13 countries around the world at a time when interest in biomass derived energy was at a peak. Since then oil prices have fallen considerably and with most prognoses for level prices until the end of the century, there has been a significant downturn in support for biomass conversion technologies. It has been particularly encouraging, therefore, to have received such an excellent response to this meeting. A total of 122 papers were offered, and 135 delegates registered for the conference from 19 countries. The theme of this meeting was Research in Thermochemical Biomass Conversion to reflect the advances made in research, development, demonstration and com­ mercialisation since the Fundamentals meeting in 1982. The programme was divided into sections on fundamental research, applied research, and demonstration and commercial activities to emphasise the interaction and roles of all levels of research in supporting the eventual commercial implementation. The layout of the pro­ ceedings reflects this same pattern, with an introductory section on status and technoeconomics to identify opportunities and constraints in different parts of the world. All the papers included in these proceedings have been subjected to the usual peer review process to ensure the highest standards.

This book provides an account of the state-of-the-art in thermochemical biomass conversion and arises from the third conference in a series sponsored by the International Energy Agency's Bioenergy Agreement. Fundamental and applied research topics are included, reflecting recent advances as well as demonstration and commercial innovation.

There have been many developments in the science and technology of thermo­ chemical biomass conversion since the previous conference on Advances in Thermochemical Biomass Conversion in Interlaken, Switzerland, in 1992. This fourth conference again covers all aspects of thermal biomass conversion systems from fundamental research through applied research and development to demon­ stration and commercial applications to reflect the progress made in the last four years. All aspects of bioenergy systems are covered from pretreatment through to end-user applications with increased consideration paid to the environmental benefits and problems of implementing bio-energy systems. There was an excellent response with over 200 papers offered and over 180 delegates from 29 countries attending the conference. The programme was divided into five main areas covering pyrolysis, pretreatment, gasification, combustion and system studies and this division is reflected in the structure of these conference proceedings. Each main section was preceded by a state-of-the-art review to provide a focus for the ensuing presentations and an authoritative reference. All the papers included have been subject to a full peer review process. As with any international conference, an important aim was to exchange ideas and discuss problems with fellow researchers, as well as to hear about the latest research and development and applications. A workshop programme was included to encourage this interaction in areas of interest selected by participants. The resul­ tant workshop reports provide a summary of topical problems and opportunities.

This book provides an account of the state-of-the-art in thermochemical biomass conversion and arises from the third conference in a series sponsored by the International Energy Agency''s Bioenergy Agreement. Fundamental and applied research topics are included, reflecting recent advances as well as demonstration and commercial innovation.