Title:
Environmental and Economic Impact of Rapid X-Ray Measurements of Forest Biomass at Bioenergy Plants
Author(s):
Horn, H., Modaresi, R., Dibdiakova, J., Vestlund, A.
Document(s):
Paper
Slide presentation
Abstract:
An X-ray measurement method for simultaneous determination of moisture- and ash content, and heating value has been demonstrated at a Norwegian sawmill on a mixture of spruce bark, chips and sawdust. The method is based on combining X-ray transmission imaging and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. A rapid determination of the biofuel moisture content in the feed-in material for the combustion plant is crucial for an efficient and stable combustion process. In this study the environmental and economic benefits of the implementation of this new measurement method was investigated. Semi-structured questionnaires were carried out at five selected Norwegian sawmills to find how their by-products are utilized today. Material flow analysis (MFA) was carried out to calculate mass balances for the material flows with the selected system boundaries. The target was to disclose how the woody biomass is utilized under current- and optimized conditions. Lifecycle analyses (LCA) and life cycle cost calculations (LCC) were used in the value chain from the production of wood materials to internal energy utilization at sawmills, and from storages of surplus by-products to the end user. The results show that the X-ray measurement equipment installed at one of these mills can improve the utilization of biomass for internal thermal energy production, with corresponding increased volumes surplus by-products for external sales.
Keywords:
biomass, combustion, cost analysis, LCA, mass flow analysis, circular economy
Topic:
Industry Sessions
Subtopic:
Biomass Resources (Crops, SRF,Algae, Residues and Organic Wastes)
Event:
28th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
ICO.8.4
Pages:
966 - 969
ISBN:
978-88-89407-20-2
Paper DOI:
10.5071/28thEUBCE2020-ICO.8.4
Price:
FREE
