I n n o v a t i v e R e s e a r c h ~ M i n n e s o t a Va l u e ~ G l o b a l R e l e v a n c e

Donald R. Fosnacht, Ph.D. 11/5/2018

BCL Development and OperationsTeam:T. Hagen, M. Young, A. Khotkevych, Jack Grochowski, Paul Mack, Kevin Kangas, and BCLOperations Team

Diama Dam

Manantali Dam

Dominique Dumas, Michel Mietton, O. Hamerlynck, F. Pesneaud, A. Kane, et al.. Large dams and

uncertainties. The case of the Senegal River (West Africa). Society Natural Resources, 2010, 23 (11), pp.1108-1122.

View of Diama Dam Separating Senegal and Mauritania

Dam

Typha

Unintended Consequences of Dam Construction

Created perfect growth environment for native plant (typha australis, a cattail type of material ) to become a significant ecological problem

Altered recession farming practices – due to lack of yearly flooding

Did not provide irrigation waters that were promised to make up the difference -- adversely altered agricultural practices

Altered economic conditions in riverine areas and increased migration from rural areas to cities

Various Views of Typha Australis Infestation Along

Senegal River Areas including Lac de Gier

Africa – the Driest of Continents

18% of World’s Population and expected to reach 40% by 2100

Only 9% of global renewable water resources

Groundwater resources make up 15% of total water resources but supply 75% of drinking water

Central Africa including Sahel has 50% of Africa’s internal water

Africa Water Atlas, UNEP, 2010

Typha Australis Issues

Substantially reduced water oxygen levels of impounded water▪ Reduced fish populations and fish size

Led to expanded bilharzia (snails as a vector) and malaria (breeding ground for anopheles nigerienes mosquito)

Acts as desiccant that sucks up water that is then removed from plant by prevailing winds

Seeds can be blown for miles and colonize areas away from the river (oases) – 50 to 100 miles away

Seeds interfere with competing plant development such as vegetables and fruits

Nesting ground for Quelea Quelea birds – agricultural pest

Quelea Quelea Birds inSenegal Area -- BirdsEat Seeds and Reduce Agricultural Productivity.

Typha is a prime nesting Area for these birds.

Access to River Greatly Hindered

Stunted Fish Growth – Major Protein Source

Typha Cutting is a Hard, Nasty Business –One day on/One day off to recover from mosquito bites

Village area near Diama Dam on Senegal side of River

Types of Materials Tested by NRRI

Wood sources (forest residuals, bark,, deconstruction materials, various manufacturing wastes)

Agricultural sources (bagasse, rice hulls, stover, etc.)

Herbaceous materials (aqueous weeds, cattails, typha, invasives)

Typha as an Opportunity

Can be a substitute for wood in charcoal production

When used to make charcoal, 3 units of dry matter are needed to make 1 unit of charcoal

Plant opportunities – Senegal and Niger Rivers

Calorific levels > 17 MJ/kg

Available quantities estimated at over 200,000 t/y

Could be used in power, heating and cooking

De Gouvello, C., and Dayo, F. B., and Thioye, M., Low Carbon Energy Projects for Development in Sub-Saharan Africa,

2008, The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank

Form and Shape

Add binder

Air DryBag and Sell

PyrolizeObtain Raw Material

Grain Hulls Converted to Bio-Charcoal at Ross Bethio

Types of Pretreatment

Thermal processing: torrefaction, hydrothermal carbonization, steam explosion

Aqueous conditioning: Leaching

Comminution and Screening

Densification: Rotary and Ram Briquetting, Pelleting, Extrusion, Binder Development and Mix Preparation

Bench Scale Work at NRRI…

Received from Africa

Torrefied

Densified

Problems to Solutions

Harvesting typha – need to make it easier and improve human conditions (mechanize and neem oil)

Gathering – likely can use boats available

Use climate condition to dry the material

Chop materials and torrefy (use modern technology)

Form acceptable compacts (rotary or ram briquetting)

Bag and bring to market using local infrastructure and personnel

Harvesting and Gathering

Weed cutter from Aquarius Systems, Milwaukee, WI Hire Local Fishermen to Gather

Typha using Pirogues After Neem Oil Misting of Harvest Area

Use Climate to Dry Material

Chop and Torrefy

Solidaire Unit from Bepex Indirectly heated kiln from H_P

Torrefaction Equipment is Available

Compact the Energy Concentrate

BPE Shimada Extruder Briquetting Press

K. R. Komarek Rotary Briquetting Machines (B220 and B400 Models Shown

BCL Demonstration-Scale Torrefaction Facility

Simulating Process Capabilities at UMN Coleraine Laboratory

Another Option that by-passes drying step is Hydrothermal Carbonization

This technology uses Pressure and Temperature to ConcentrateEnergy from Biomass

Fuels can be Use for Different Purposes

Many villages lack access to power – fuels can be used with new distributed power concepts

Cooking in majority of locations still employs charcoal and product can be used to replace wood based charcoal

Biofuel can be used for various heating purposes

Coming 2019

Moving Bed System – Coming in 2019

Another alternative to Torrefaction Technologies shown

100% Oak Briquettes vs Commercial Briquettes:

The Grill Test

100% Pure Carbonized Material

No Binders

No Additives

All Natural

Flame Production

High Percentage of Binder

High Sulfur Content

Processed with Additives

Smoldering

100% Torrefied Oak Briquettes BURN, FEEL, LOOK like Commercial Charcoal

Example100% Oak Briquettes vs Commercial Briquettes

More Rapid Ignition

Burns Hotter

No Toxin Release

Low Ash Content

Higher Btu/lb

Time Consuming Ignition

Cooler Burn

Toxin Release

High Ash Content

Lower Btu/lb

Potential Products Beyond that Discussed

Solid Biofuels

Metallurgical Reductants

Feedstock to Gasifiers for Syngas Production and Liquid fuels and Chemicals

Chars for Plastic Fillers and Agricultural Use

Activated Carbon for Purification Applications and Metallurgical use

Both samples were submitted to

Twin Ports Testing for chemical

and compositional analysis:

Com

mer

cial

Bri

quet

tes

10

0%

To

rref

ied O

ak B

riquet

tes

Conclusions

Typha can be a good source of biomass to produce fuel products

Strategies for implementation in the Senegal River Basis have been identified

Technology is not a limitation, but system integration is a key issue

Choice of equipment will be dictated by product attributes desired and plant size that best fits logistics and overall production economics

UMN has the ability to simulate potential conversion options and produce products for African trials

Next Steps

Explain overall strategy to partners in Africa and to potential investors

Produce significant sample quantities in the desired geometry, size and heat content for testing in local villages

Finish development of the boiler/generator system and produce and test anticipated fuels on the system

Identify the best flow sheet and equipment configuration for the identified sites for implementation

Secure necessary funds to implement the strategic use of typha and change the ecological impact of this problem

Contacts:

Donald Fosnacht (218)-788-2682

Email: dfosnach@nrri.umn.edu

Timothy Hagen

Email: thagen@nrri.umn.edu