Technip, BTL to build biomass-to-oil plants

TECHNIP has signed an agreement to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to Netherlands-based firm BTG BioLiquids (BTL) to build modular pyrolysis plants to convert biomass to oil.

The modular plants will be based on BTL’s fast pyrolysis oil (FPO) technology, which uses wood as a feedstock. BTL has been successfully operating an FPO facility in the Netherlands since 2015. As part of the agreement, Technip and BTL will collaborate to develop commercial uses for the FPO, including as a renewable fuel and as a petrochemical feedstock substitute to make bio-based chemicals.

The FPO process converts up to 70% of the weight of the biomass into bio-oil, with some char and gas. Dried biomass particles are fed into the pyrolysis reactor with sand to help it circulate. The pyrolysis oil vapours, gas and char pass though several cyclones and then enter the condenser, where the oil vapours condense. Excess gas and char are burned in a fluidised bed combustor and the sand is recycled. Excess heat is used to generate high pressure steam which can be used for electricity generation or sent to industrial or district heating grids.

“This agreement will allow our technology company to launch its global roll-out. The strong combination of Technip and BTL will now start to offer turnkey pyrolysis plants and services to industrial companies seeking to develop new bio-sourced applications and anticipate the transition to a bio-based economy,” said Gerhard Muggen, managing director of BTL.