Final Report Summary - BIOCARD (Global Process To Improve Cynara cardunculus Exploitation for Energy Applications)
The use of biomass for energy applications is continuously gaining popularity in Europe. Biomass is mostly used in Northern countries, which have higher production of wood and crop residues because of their appropriate climate. Mediterranean countries should seek for an appropriate dry farming with low exploitation cost in order to progress in this energy production field.
The BIOCARD project aimed to demonstrate the technical and economical feasibility of a global process for cardoon exploitation for energy applications. The cardoon or 'Cynara' crop was selected as an alternative energy crop, appropriate for the Mediterranean basin where shortage of water can be a frequent problem. BIOCARD resulted in the proposal of a combined process for the production of energy and of a low-cost liquid biofuel.
The project objectives were:
1. the promotion of biomass and liquid biofuels in Mediterranean areas;
2. improvements in Cynara crop cultivation;
3. improvements in Cynara biomass valorisation;
4. progress in seeds valorisation;
5. the development of new raw material for energy production.
BIOCARD project activities were structured in six interrelated work packages (WPs), namely:
1. Project coordination.
2. Energy crop management and harvesting, which included all the agrarian tasks related to crop production along with biomass pre-treatment and logistics. The crop was managed following an annual pattern of development cycle, from September to September and biomass production was assessed when the aerial biomass was fully dry. The crop was not irrigated, thus the biomass production depended on the yearly rainfall height. Soil conditions also influenced the final productivity. Commercially available machinery was evaluated and further development of machinery addressed to the specific cultivation took place. Tests were carried out to determine the optimum particle size and process to be utilised for the produced biomass pre-treatment. Finally, a tool to optimise biomass transportation logistics was developed.
3. The biomass valorisation for energy conversion, aiming to demonstrate the technical feasibility of co-firing of Cynara and coal in fossil power plants and to determine the most efficient method for biomass combustion. Combustion efficiency, deposition and probable corrosion were analysed and evaluated. Combustion feasibility studies using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were elaborated, in order to define the problems of adapting existing power plants to the secondary fuel. Combustion tests were realised in fluidised bed conditions, pulverised fuels combustors and grate-fired boilers. Cynara proved to be a problematic fuel in terms of the potential slagging and fouling problems. As a result, it should not be combusted alone.
4. The crop seeds valorisation for energy conversion, whose objective was to develop a process towards Cynara seeds valorisation for biofuel production. Among the WP objectives were optimum pre-treatment design, validation and demonstration of the Cynara oil as a new renewable fuel for automotive uses, design and construction of a prototype power plant for the technology application, development of the necessary catalysts, application of innovative mixing techniques and, finally, tests of biofuels obtained in laboratory engines for electric production. Among the WP findings was that the crude Cynara oil could produce biodiesel for diesel engines in homogeneous catalyst conditions. The results obtained by the mixing techniques research could permit equipment improvement for esters and glycerine separation during biodiesel production process. In terms of catalysts development for vegetable oil transesterification further research proved necessary.
5. The overall technical and economical evaluation and feasibility study of the proposed technology.
6. The dissemination and use of BIOCARD findings.
The BIOCARD project managed to propose a feasible alternative solution for biomass applications in Mediterranean areas, through the use of the Cynara crop, which has no irrigational demand. Even though some aspects of the developed technology require further investigation, the project resulted in significant knowledge production which, through its dissemination to the end users, will facilitate further development.
The BIOCARD project aimed to demonstrate the technical and economical feasibility of a global process for cardoon exploitation for energy applications. The cardoon or 'Cynara' crop was selected as an alternative energy crop, appropriate for the Mediterranean basin where shortage of water can be a frequent problem. BIOCARD resulted in the proposal of a combined process for the production of energy and of a low-cost liquid biofuel.
The project objectives were:
1. the promotion of biomass and liquid biofuels in Mediterranean areas;
2. improvements in Cynara crop cultivation;
3. improvements in Cynara biomass valorisation;
4. progress in seeds valorisation;
5. the development of new raw material for energy production.
BIOCARD project activities were structured in six interrelated work packages (WPs), namely:
1. Project coordination.
2. Energy crop management and harvesting, which included all the agrarian tasks related to crop production along with biomass pre-treatment and logistics. The crop was managed following an annual pattern of development cycle, from September to September and biomass production was assessed when the aerial biomass was fully dry. The crop was not irrigated, thus the biomass production depended on the yearly rainfall height. Soil conditions also influenced the final productivity. Commercially available machinery was evaluated and further development of machinery addressed to the specific cultivation took place. Tests were carried out to determine the optimum particle size and process to be utilised for the produced biomass pre-treatment. Finally, a tool to optimise biomass transportation logistics was developed.
3. The biomass valorisation for energy conversion, aiming to demonstrate the technical feasibility of co-firing of Cynara and coal in fossil power plants and to determine the most efficient method for biomass combustion. Combustion efficiency, deposition and probable corrosion were analysed and evaluated. Combustion feasibility studies using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were elaborated, in order to define the problems of adapting existing power plants to the secondary fuel. Combustion tests were realised in fluidised bed conditions, pulverised fuels combustors and grate-fired boilers. Cynara proved to be a problematic fuel in terms of the potential slagging and fouling problems. As a result, it should not be combusted alone.
4. The crop seeds valorisation for energy conversion, whose objective was to develop a process towards Cynara seeds valorisation for biofuel production. Among the WP objectives were optimum pre-treatment design, validation and demonstration of the Cynara oil as a new renewable fuel for automotive uses, design and construction of a prototype power plant for the technology application, development of the necessary catalysts, application of innovative mixing techniques and, finally, tests of biofuels obtained in laboratory engines for electric production. Among the WP findings was that the crude Cynara oil could produce biodiesel for diesel engines in homogeneous catalyst conditions. The results obtained by the mixing techniques research could permit equipment improvement for esters and glycerine separation during biodiesel production process. In terms of catalysts development for vegetable oil transesterification further research proved necessary.
5. The overall technical and economical evaluation and feasibility study of the proposed technology.
6. The dissemination and use of BIOCARD findings.
The BIOCARD project managed to propose a feasible alternative solution for biomass applications in Mediterranean areas, through the use of the Cynara crop, which has no irrigational demand. Even though some aspects of the developed technology require further investigation, the project resulted in significant knowledge production which, through its dissemination to the end users, will facilitate further development.
