10TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON ENERGY FROM BIOMASS AND WASTE
HOTEL MONACO & GRAND CANAL, VENICE (IT) / 25-27 NOVEMBER 2024

Workshop: High-temperature vs low-temperature conversion processes

SESSION C07 / 23 November 2022 / 10:00 - 11:15
Workshop: High-temperature vs low-temperature conversion processes
Chair / Presidente: Luca Fiori (IT)

High-temperature processes are usually classified depending on the amount of oxidant agent fed with the biomass: none for pyrolysis, sub-stoichiometric for gasification, and super-stoichiometric for combustion. Their advantages include being able to convert 100% of the biomass and taking place on a short timeframe, but the involved operating conditions usually pose safety issues. While combustion has been employed for centuries and is a widely established technique, gasification and pyrolysis still have more uncertain aspects and are still not fully deployed on the industrial scale. Low-temperature processes include several different techniques, most of which take place in liquid water. While hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) and liquefaction (HTL) convert the biomass through thermochemical reactions, anaerobic digestion employs microorganisms. Other minor processes include torrefaction and other types of fermentations. Despite the constantly rising interest in the last years from the scientific community, HTC suffers from some limitations that hinder its diffusion on a large scale, while HTL still has to reach the technological level of HTC. Anaerobic digestion is the most consolidated low-temperature technology, but the use of the digestate is limited in some countries. Combinations of low-thermal processes may overcome the issues related to the single technologies. The aim of this workshop is to discuss the pros and cons of the application of high- and low-temperature technologies and propose interesting interactions between the processes.

Introductory lecture:

  • G. Ischia, F. Marchelli, L. Fiori (IT)
    High-temperature vs low-temperature conversion processes


Panellists:

  • Luca Fiori - University of Trento (IT)
  • Evangelos Gidarakos - Technical University of Crete (GR)
  • Michele Miccio - University of Salerno (IT)
  • Federico Viganò - Polytechnic University of Milan (IT)