ments. According to international power consultant Poyry, torrefied pellet plants are 25 to 30 percent more expensive than a traditional pellet plant, and torrefied pellet production costs are 15 percent higher than standard pellets. And without larger, more successful industry leaders to serve as an example, existing and new torrefied pellet producers will have a more difficult time trying to build trust among investors. To address this, Morihara says some companies are looking into partnerships with more established organizations to foster profitable relationships and reputations. Although torrefaction method and feedstock diversification are crucial in fostering ingenuity to create the perfect torrefied pellet, a lack of consensus hampers the market. Without an industry-wide agreement on the best torrefied material and process, investors and creditors hesitate to provide financial support to existing and emerging operations. Like coffee, torrefied pellets are diverse in types of “roasts” and “flavors.” Heating
PHOTO: NEW BIOMASS ENERGY
« Torrefaction
READY TO ROLL: Completed and bagged torrefied pellets in storage at New Biomass Energy.
pellets to various temperatures for various lengths of time produces different types of light to dark roasts. Darker roasts are more preferable for coal replacements and co-firing, as they are much easier to grind than standard pellets. The problem with the
PARTICULATE CONTROL FOR WOOD DRYER APPLICATIONS
darker roasts of torrefied pellets is they begin to lose their natural glue that holds standard pellets together during the extended roasting process, forcing producers to find binders, such as corn products and even carpet fibers.
For the separation of particulate matter from dryer emissions, wet electrostatic precipitators represent the best available technology. Our extensive experience in wood processing applications ensures the most reliable design and economical operation. Ř 6(1$ VLQJOH DQG PXOWL Ƃ HOG ZHW (63V Ř (QHUJ\ 5HFRYHU\ 6\VWHPV Ř 'XVW &ROOHFWLRQ DQG &RQYH\LQJ 6\VWHPV Working together with our customers, we keep technology on the move and offer complete solutions that are extremely reliable and cost effective. %LRORJLFDO 6FUXEEHUV _ :HW DQG 'U\ (OHFWURVWDWLF 3UHFLSLWDWRUV _ 3UHVV ([KDXVW 6\VWHPV _ 'XVW &ROOHFWLRQ and Conveying Systems | Sifters Scheuch Inc. 2351 Huron Street, Unit 1 London, Ontario, N5V 0A8, Canada Phone: +1 (519) 951-7700 I Fax: -7711 office@scheuch.ca I www.scheuch.ca
VISIT US: INTERNATIONAL BIOMASS CONFERENCE & EXPO., BOOTH 702, APRIL 8 - 10, MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 32 PELLET MILL MAGAZINE | Q1 2013
Scheuch USA Inc. 125 Townpark Drive, Suite 300 Kennesaw, Georgia 30144, USA Phone: +1 (770) 420-8266 I Fax: -8201 office.usa@scheuch.com I www.scheuch.com