An Economic Solution to Dry and Densify Ligno-Cellulosic Biomass The Bripell Technology Paul S. Nikitovich Bioenergy Investments, LLC Herbaceous Feedstock Logistic Teleseminar – April 20, 2010

The Bripell Production System  One line produces between 12,000 to 15,000 tons per year  Works with most types of biomass waste and ag residue  Can effectively process biomass residues with up to 65% moisture content  Low energy consumption: 150 Kva  Low maintenance cost and easy to replace wearable components  Automated production system 2

 Reduce Handling Costs  Reduce Shipping Costs  Reduce Drying & Densifications Costs  Attractive to Producer to Participate HOW TO TURN AG RESIDUES INTO A VIABLE ENERGY COMMODITY: 3

CORN STOVER or other crops  Burn alone or with coal  Turn into cellulosic ethanol  Ideal for gasification for CHP BRIPELLS (43 lbs/ft3) CORN FIELDS INDUSTRIAL PLANT BRIPELL FACTORY 4

Feedstock area within mile radius of plant to keep trucking costs low (at $0.25 p/T p/mile trucking cost= $67.50 on max load of 27T p/10 miles = $2.50 p/T Feedstock Area Feedstock Area Trucking Costs Trucking Costs Bripell Plant Feedstock Requirements Bripell Plant Feedstock Requirements ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS 5

FEEDSTOCK REQUIREMENTS 1 Bripell plant produces between 12,000 to 15,000 MT of Bripells yearly (higher rates with dryer material - higher the MC the more material is required ) FEEDSTOCK REQUIREMENTS 1 Bripell plant produces between 12,000 to 15,000 MT of Bripells yearly (higher rates with dryer material - higher the MC the more material is required ) FEEDSTOCK AREA 100% Dedicated area = Approximately 50 Circles or 6,000 acres. (Realistic Estimate around 150 to 200 Circles with an estimated 20% farmer participation) Area production will depend on possible crop mixes. (Crop rotation with different harvest times), and also on regional factors for different crops & outputs. FEEDSTOCK AREA 100% Dedicated area = Approximately 50 Circles or 6,000 acres. (Realistic Estimate around 150 to 200 Circles with an estimated 20% farmer participation) Area production will depend on possible crop mixes. (Crop rotation with different harvest times), and also on regional factors for different crops & outputs. TRUCKING COSTS Keep within a 10–15 mile radius of the plant to keep costs low TRUCKING COSTS Keep within a 10–15 mile radius of the plant to keep costs low 6

Biomass requirements This is a function of the amount of water in the biomass. To compact correctly the biomass must have at least 8-10% MC Biomass with a MC of 15% or lower can be fed directly into the compactor without going through the dryer. Biomass above 65% MC can be processed but will slow production down considerably. As a rule of thumb approximately 8-12% of the fines of the feedstock input will be burned up running the dryer. The bripells that are produced have between 8-14% MC 7

Volume comparison: Moist Stover vs. Bripells Calorific comparison / m³: Moist Stover vs. Bripells Moist Stover 50% moisture content 2,500 BTUs per lb Bripells 10% moisture content 7,500 BTUs per lb Moist Stover 8

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ADVANTAGES OF THE BRIPELL PRODUCTION SYSTEM OVER PELLETIZING  Much more energy efficient  Bripell energy production U$4 to U$6 per ton  Pellet energy production U$9 to U$11 per ton  One production line operates on less than 150Kva-average around 120Kva x 0.6 power factor= 72Kw p/hr  No hammermill necessary as in pelletizing- shredded material is dried and directly compacted  Unique drying system uses just the biomass fines as fuel  Eliminates alot of dirt and rocks from the biomass before compacting when going through the dryer  In pelletization biomass with dirt and rocks goes directly to the hammermill, then to the pellet mill, and this excess silica leads to equipment wear and tear  The cost for bripell equipment spare parts is around U$5 per ton 11

REPLACEMENT PARTS 1 - Supplies. Consumables: should be changed periodically, and each one will have about a lifetime: Screw Injection (RI001) = ± 3000 tons Injection Pipe Thread (RI014 ) = ± 3000 tons Tool Camara (BR006 ) = ± 3000 tons Piston Compressor (BR001 ) = ± 1,500 tons Tip Piston (BR002) = ± 250 tons Nut (PO3801) = ± 125 tons Cone (CO3801) = ± 166 tons Tube Wear (TU3801) = ± 500 tons Note: The amount of tons produced before the spare parts wear out will vary depending on the abrasiveness of biomass. 12

One Stop Shop Turnkey Operation  Easy to ship – One complete equipment line fits into one 40ft container + one 40ft flat-rack.  Easy to assemble – plant is operational within 14 days.  Modular and scaleable.  Automated production system. 13

Exposed DryerDryer enclosed in insulated encasing Bripell Dryer 14

Bripell Compactor 15

 Registers all the processes.  Built-in safety features to avoid human error. Control Panel 16

Touch Screen Control Panel 17

Plant layout 18

Two line layout 19

Labor requirements  Labor required for 1 production line: 4 operators.  With an additional operator can run two lines set together. 20

Equipment Cost  One complete line with one year spare parts US$ 990,000 FOB Brazil.  Personnel training and equipment assembly included 21

CARLOS FRAZA, THE INVENTOR OF THE “BRIPELL” TECHNOLOGY  Over twenty years of experience producing briquets and pellets.  Owner of a successful briquetting company, Ipaussu Briquets Ltda. ( that has been producing and selling briquets for over 15 years.  Developed and patented the very innovative and energy efficient bripell technology. ( 22