Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PYRAGRAF (Decentralized pyrolytic conversion of agriculture and forestry wastes towards local circular value chains and sustainability)
Berichtszeitraum: 2023-07-01 bis 2024-12-31
PYRAGRAF aims to develop a mobile, solar-assisted pyrolysis system for waste biomass into biochar, wood vinegar, bio-oil, and syngas for decentralized energy and material applications. During RP1, significant progress was achieved in biomass feedstock selection, characterization, drying optimization, and pyrolysis parameter refinement. A smart screw-conveyor dryer was studied for pine bark and pistachio waste. Pyrolysis and gasification tests were conducted, supporting process integration. A base-case model incorporating solar drying, pyrolysis, and gasification was developed, alongside ray-tracing simulations for solar concentration. Procurement of core components for the demonstrator is ongoing. Preliminary activities on bio-oil upgrading and catalytic vapor treatment were initiated. Techno-economic, environmental, and social assessments began, supported by multilingual surveys, stakeholder workshops, and literature reviews. A Communication and Dissemination Plan was implemented, with strong outreach metrics. Policy and market analyses are informing exploitation strategies. PYRAGRAF establishes a robust foundation for deploying renewable, thermochemically derived bio-based products in rural contexts.
During M1-M18, PYRAGRAF achieved significant progress across multiple WPs.
WP1 established a strong project framework with a Project Management Plan (D1.6) and key meetings: Kick-off (M1, Portalegre), Consortium Meetings (M7, Munich; M12, Gebze), and a Steering Committee (M15), which formed an Advisory Board (AB) for expert guidance. BIOREF ensured scientific coordination, pre-validating deliverables and achieving milestones like biomass pyrolysis optimization and a smart biomass dryer. Data management followed FAIR principles, with D1.2 and D1.3 ensuring quality and security. Gender balance was also prioritized.
WP2 identified and characterized feedstocks—pine bark, pistachio pruning, rice husk, eucalyptus bark, olive pomace, grass silage, Miscanthus, and hemp—selecting two per country (Portugal, Germany, Türkiye). A smart screw conveyor dryer was developed, optimizing parameters for pine bark and pistachio pruning. Pyrolysis tests refined biochar production, and gasification trials optimized the gasifier-burner unit. WP2 ended in M18, achieving its goals.
WP3 advanced process modeling, mass-energy balances, and a solar concentration system (SCS). Ray-tracing simulations optimized heliostat configurations, and basic engineering for the integrated pyrolysis unit began. Procurement for key components, including an auger pyrolysis reactor, was underway.
WP4 and WP5 started in M19, thus out of scope. However, WP5 initiated preparatory work. Task 5.1 (Pyrogas clean-up & catalytic upgrading) saw KTH constructing a semi-batch reactor for Topsøe catalyst characterization. Task 5.2 (Bio-oil upgrading) included a literature review, a property-upgrading matrix, and preliminary HDO tests (LNEG, BIOREF) using CoMo catalysts.
WP6 launched surveys in four languages, though response rates were low, necessitating literature-based analysis. Solar integration, techno-economic, and LCA tasks were delayed due to WP3 dependencies. Task 6.5 (Social acceptance & socio-economic LCA) began stakeholder analysis and workshops using UNEP guidelines.
Overall, M1-M18 focused on preparatory activities, reactor designs, literature reviews, and early experiments, establishing a solid foundation for WP4–WP6 and ensuring smooth project advancement.
WP1 established a strong project framework with a Project Management Plan (D1.6) and key meetings: Kick-off (M1, Portalegre), Consortium Meetings (M7, Munich; M12, Gebze), and a Steering Committee (M15), which formed an Advisory Board (AB) for expert guidance. BIOREF ensured scientific coordination, pre-validating deliverables and achieving milestones like biomass pyrolysis optimization and a smart biomass dryer. Data management followed FAIR principles, with D1.2 and D1.3 ensuring quality and security. Gender balance was also prioritized.
WP2 identified and characterized feedstocks—pine bark, pistachio pruning, rice husk, eucalyptus bark, olive pomace, grass silage, Miscanthus, and hemp—selecting two per country (Portugal, Germany, Türkiye). A smart screw conveyor dryer was developed, optimizing parameters for pine bark and pistachio pruning. Pyrolysis tests refined biochar production, and gasification trials optimized the gasifier-burner unit. WP2 ended in M18, achieving its goals.
WP3 advanced process modeling, mass-energy balances, and a solar concentration system (SCS). Ray-tracing simulations optimized heliostat configurations, and basic engineering for the integrated pyrolysis unit began. Procurement for key components, including an auger pyrolysis reactor, was underway.
WP4 and WP5 started in M19, thus out of scope. However, WP5 initiated preparatory work. Task 5.1 (Pyrogas clean-up & catalytic upgrading) saw KTH constructing a semi-batch reactor for Topsøe catalyst characterization. Task 5.2 (Bio-oil upgrading) included a literature review, a property-upgrading matrix, and preliminary HDO tests (LNEG, BIOREF) using CoMo catalysts.
WP6 launched surveys in four languages, though response rates were low, necessitating literature-based analysis. Solar integration, techno-economic, and LCA tasks were delayed due to WP3 dependencies. Task 6.5 (Social acceptance & socio-economic LCA) began stakeholder analysis and workshops using UNEP guidelines.
Overall, M1-M18 focused on preparatory activities, reactor designs, literature reviews, and early experiments, establishing a solid foundation for WP4–WP6 and ensuring smooth project advancement.
During the first 18 months (M1-M18) of the PYRAGRAF project, significant progress has been made in laying the groundwork for achieving the expected impacts outlined in the Description of Action (DoA). While still in its early stages, the project has contributed to increasing renewable energy availability, reducing costs, enhancing sustainability, and fostering market uptake of renewable fuel technologies.
PYRAGRAF has initiated the design and development of an integrated slow pyrolysis system to valorize agricultural and forestry wastes into biochar, wood vinegar, bio-oil, and pyrogas. Preliminary work on catalytic upgrading of pyrogas (Task 5.1) and bio-oil hydrodeoxygenation (Task 5.2) has established a foundation for producing high-quality renewable fuels. The integration of solar energy into pyrolysis (WP6) is expected to enhance efficiency and reduce fossil fuel reliance.
Optimization efforts focus on solar-driven heat supply and flexible screw conveyor dryers, aiming to cut operational costs and improve efficiency. Preliminary techno-economic assessments (WP6) are evaluating cost-effectiveness, targeting 0.75 €/kg for biochar and 0.9 €/L for wood vinegar. LCA and stakeholder engagement efforts (WP6) have begun assessing environmental and social impacts. Surveys and workshops are mapping rural energy needs and opportunities for integrating renewables. The project has conducted literature reviews and experiments to identify optimal upgrading methods for bio-oil and pyrogas.
Key needs identified include further process optimization, large-scale demonstrations to validate economic viability, and partnerships with industry and policymakers to secure funding and develop business models. Intellectual property protection, international outreach, regulatory support, and community engagement will be essential to drive market adoption.
PYRAGRAF’s contributions so far:
Technical Foundation: Reactor design, literature reviews, and experiments set the stage for future advancements.
Stakeholder Engagement: Surveys and workshops initiated dialogue for market uptake.
Sustainability Assessment: Preliminary LCA and socio-economic analyses highlight environmental benefits.
Innovation: Solar integration and flexible feedstock handling enhance efficiency.
By addressing research, market access, and regulatory support, PYRAGRAF is on track to achieve its goals of increased renewable energy availability, cost reduction, and sustainability, accelerating market adoption of renewable fuel technologies.
PYRAGRAF has initiated the design and development of an integrated slow pyrolysis system to valorize agricultural and forestry wastes into biochar, wood vinegar, bio-oil, and pyrogas. Preliminary work on catalytic upgrading of pyrogas (Task 5.1) and bio-oil hydrodeoxygenation (Task 5.2) has established a foundation for producing high-quality renewable fuels. The integration of solar energy into pyrolysis (WP6) is expected to enhance efficiency and reduce fossil fuel reliance.
Optimization efforts focus on solar-driven heat supply and flexible screw conveyor dryers, aiming to cut operational costs and improve efficiency. Preliminary techno-economic assessments (WP6) are evaluating cost-effectiveness, targeting 0.75 €/kg for biochar and 0.9 €/L for wood vinegar. LCA and stakeholder engagement efforts (WP6) have begun assessing environmental and social impacts. Surveys and workshops are mapping rural energy needs and opportunities for integrating renewables. The project has conducted literature reviews and experiments to identify optimal upgrading methods for bio-oil and pyrogas.
Key needs identified include further process optimization, large-scale demonstrations to validate economic viability, and partnerships with industry and policymakers to secure funding and develop business models. Intellectual property protection, international outreach, regulatory support, and community engagement will be essential to drive market adoption.
PYRAGRAF’s contributions so far:
Technical Foundation: Reactor design, literature reviews, and experiments set the stage for future advancements.
Stakeholder Engagement: Surveys and workshops initiated dialogue for market uptake.
Sustainability Assessment: Preliminary LCA and socio-economic analyses highlight environmental benefits.
Innovation: Solar integration and flexible feedstock handling enhance efficiency.
By addressing research, market access, and regulatory support, PYRAGRAF is on track to achieve its goals of increased renewable energy availability, cost reduction, and sustainability, accelerating market adoption of renewable fuel technologies.