The Combine Project: Solid Fuel and Biogas from Biomass Rachel Smith

An INTERREG IVb NWE project led by University of Kassel with partners in Belgium (Flanders), Germany and France (Brittany)

Background Forage use: Low nutritive value of the forage Declining livestock levels Biogas production: Limited degradability and methane yields Frequently incomplete use of waste heat Combustion: Risk of slagging, corrosion and emissions What to do with residual grassland biomass ?

Combine in the UK Aims: Enhance biodiversity Increase green waste recycling Landowners: National Trust, Wildlife Trusts, County Councils – parks, sports fields, roadside verges

BB Combine feedstock material France – roadside verges former railways semi natural grassland Belgium – natural grassland contaminated grassland (mostly Cr) hedge clippings (mixed garden species) leek harvest residue Japanese Knotweed Wales – rushes / grassland Bracken European gorse

Technique IFBB –Integrated Generation of Solid Fuel and Biogas from Biomass

Technique IFBB –Integrated Generation of Solid Fuel and Biogas from Biomass

Technique IFBB –Integrated Generation of Solid Fuel and Biogas from Biomass

Technique IFBB –Integrated Generation of Solid Fuel and Biogas from Biomass

Technique IFBB –Integrated Generation of Solid Fuel and Biogas from Biomass

Nutrient flows during mechanical dehydration

Fuel quality

NO x emissions Grate firing (double-staged) Pellet oven (single-staged)

NO x emissions and Ash melting behaviour Two staged combustion oven required Ash melting temperature similar to woodchip Calorific value slightly lower than woodchip

SavingsInput Savings Input Primary energy balance

COMBINE in UK First IFBB likely to be in Lincolnshire with a firm of landscape contractors Second and third likely to be in Wales – one at a biogas plant and one stand-alone Our major objective in Wales is to remove grass cuttings from highway verges

Summary - IFBB Produce Renewable Energy – biogas and solid biofuel Generate income from under-utilised biomass Process can be adapted to address specific area needs Enhance biodiversity

Combine Final Conference Wednesday 9 th September 2015 Save the date! Please contact us for more information Rachel Smith Andy Bull