The most used method today is combustion, where all the carbon in the fuel is totally transformed into carbon dioxid and where the only product is heat. The heat from the combustion process can be used directly or for power production. Gasification is a process where the fuel is partially oxidised and the product is a fuel gas consisting of CO, CO2, H2, CH4, H2O and N2. This fuel gas can be utilized in an engine, gas turbine or boiler for heat and power production. A third option for thermochemical conversion of biomass or waste is pyrolysis. Pyrolysis means to heat up the fuel in the absence of oxygen. The product from this process is charcoal, pyrolysis oil and a fuel gas. The charcoal can be used for barbeque or in the metallurgical industry. The pyrolysis oil can be utilized as a fuel for vehicles or for power production via engine or gas turbines. The combustible fuel gas can be utilized in an engine, gas turbine or in a boiler for power and heat production. Pyrolysis gives in other words more flexibility both in terms of storage and transportation and usage of the products compared to ordinary combustion. The figure below shows an overview of the different process and utilization of products. 
Energy from biomass and waste.
SINTEF have for decades worked with the industry in this field and developed products for biomass as well as waste. One of the products that have been developed at SINTEF is the Energos technology for waste combustion. A long and close colloaboration with different producers of woodstoves such as Jøtul, Granitt, Norpeis, ABC and Morsø has led to improved woodstoves for the Norwegian market. SINTEF is also strongly involved internationally through our participation in the International Energy Agency activities within energy from biomass and waste. We can offer a wide range of services to our customers spanning from experimental/theoretical studies to numerical studies of the different process. |