The comparison focuses on two types of biofuels, those that fit into today's infrastructure, so-called drop in hydrocarbon fuels, and fuels that are more efficient to produce from biomass but do not fit directly into today's infrastructure. This latter category is often characterized by small molecules of a single chemical substance, so-called "single-molecular" fuels. Typical examples are methane, methanol, dimethyl ether and ethanol. The production of single-molecular fuels is often efficient in terms of raw materials and costs, but generally requires a dedicated distribution infrastructure. The second category, "drop-in" fuels consists of longer carbon chains and are compatible with existing infrastructure but are more energy-intensive and more expensive to produce.

It is of great interest for both fuel producers and vehicle manufacturers to gain a greater understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the two different alternatives and the considerations that determine which alternative is advantageous from an overall perspective. A number of representatives of both these categories of companies participate in the project. 

The project compares a number of fuel chains, both single-molecular and drop-in, with respect to greenhouse gas performance and total cost (including production, distribution and vehicles). The results of the analysis increases the knowledge about the role different fuels can play in a future energy system and provides the basis for strategic decisions on development and production in the companies. It also gives an improved basis for policy decisions, eg regarding R&D support and policy instruments.

Within RISE, we have a long and broad knowledge of various bio fuel chains and the properties of solid biofuels. We have knowledge of:

• Bio fuels from the forest, agriculture, industrial processes and the characteristics that characterize these fuels.
• How the process such as drying, storage and decomposition can affect the biofuel properties.
• How the biofuel's properties can affect emissions and ash-forming substances in the combustion process.

At RISE, we can characterize, assess and investigate the effects of bio fuels and biofuel mixtures on the conversion process and the residual product in lab scale, pilot scale and full scale in the field.

Pyrolysis enables the conversion of different kinds of raw materials, residual biomass as well as plastic waste, into intermediates that can be used to produce bio-based or circular materials, chemicals and fuels. Biochar and bio-oil are examples of products from the pyrolysis of biomass. RISE has a solid knowledge in the field and operate several test beds at different scales: analytical pyrolysis, bench-scale pyrolysis and pilot-scale pyrolysis. We can assist customers in both large and small issues.

Yields and quality of the pyrolysis products are affected by both process conditions and ingoing materials. This applies, for example, to process parameters such as temperature and vapour residence time as well as the raw material's origin, size, ash and moisture content. The test beds together with supplementary analysis equipment can be used to study various issues, such as product yields and product composition, based on the customer's needs and issues. We can also make measurements in industrial pyrolysis plants. Complementary combustion and upgrade test beds enable a comprehensive approach and work with entire value chains.

RISE has expertise in pyrolysis of different types of residual biomass and complex waste such as mixtures of plastic waste, composites and tires. We also work with the use of biochar as soil improvement in urban environments and agriculture. 

We can offer: 

• Theoretical studies and simulations 
• Technoeconomic studies 
• Measuring technology, sampling and chemical analyses
• Experimental tests in our test beds 
• Process optimization

Together with our prototype workshop, we can help you design and build complete pilot plants adapted for unique applications in the treatment of water streams or biological material. In addition, our competences have been broadened to include the operation of biological methanisation in lab scale as well as denitrification and sulfate reduction in pilot scale.

RISE competence and capacity in the field of biogas:

• Expertise in all parts of the biogas value chain
  • Pre-treatment
  • Biological treatment: Wet and dry anaerobic digestion, Composting
  • Digestate processing
  • Gas system, gas upgrading, LBG, land-fill gas

• Feasibility studies and basis for investment decisions
  • Planning and collection systems for waste
  • Substrate and potential assessments
  • Mass and energy balance calculations
  • Conceptual systems design
  • Technology and systems evaluation – judgement calls
• Evaluation and optimization of active production plants
  • Collection/measurement of production data for analysis and process management support
  • Optimization of energy and water management
  • Mobile pilot plant for biogas production trials
• Systems and technology development
  • Test-bed
  • Design and execution of laboratory and pilot trials
  • Development of innovative concepts and systems
  • Third-party review and advice

In many cases, bio-based materials have properties that differ significantly from the fossil raw materials for which refineries are built and optimised. RISE has both expertise and equipment to study how refinery processes are affected when various bio-based materials are introduced together with the fossil raw material. We also conduct research on fully bio-based feeds to refinery processes and how to integrate renewables into existing equipment and infrastructure.

The main focus in our research is various forms of catalytic hydroprocessing. Our capacity ranges from small-scale batch reactors, up to continuous mode campaigns that can produce tens of liters of product, and we can perform the tests at industrially relevant pressures and temperatures. We also have the expertise and equipment to thoroughly characterise feed, catalysts and products as well as expertise for assessment of industrial integration and techno-economic potential.

Questions that we at RISE can help answer include:

• What yield can you expect from a biobased feedstock to upgraded product?
  How does the biomass affect the composition of the final product?
  What process-related problems can arise?
  What impact do different process parameters have on the results?
  What will the cost be to scale up a process to various manufacturing scales?

The Pulp&Fuel concept is to develop a simple and robust fuel synthesis process taking advantage of the synergy between super critical water gasification (wet gasification) and fixed bed gasification (dry gasification).

For the Pulp&Fuel project, we have chosen to study the integration of the full process on a pulp mill. The developed process will take advantage of low to negative value wet and dry resources on a paper mill to add value to the overall process. The yield of biofuels will be significantly increased to 28 % compared to a classic approach that would only yield 18 %. The Pulp&Fuel final objective is to produce biofuels below 1 €/L without having a negative impact on the existing operations of the pulp mill. To achieve these goals a team of 10 partners, leaders in their field, from 4 EU-member states, will join efforts. The Pulp&Fuel project addresses the topic “liquid diesel- and gasoline-like biofuels from biogenic residues and wastes through either chemical, biochemical and thermochemical pathways, or a combination of them” of the LCSC3-RES-21-2018 call.