Technologies
Frontline BioEnergy is focused on technology that improves utilization of renewable biomass material using various thermal-chemical processes in our technology portfolio.
Frontline’s primary focus is gasification solutions for energy. We offer an integrated biomass gasification system that converts solid fuel particles into a combustible gas called “producer gas”. This renewable gaseous fuel is cleaned and conditioned in our system and can be used to displace natural gas at an industrial facility in a variety of conventional gas-fired appliances such as gas-fired boilers and dryers. Frontline’s approach differs from competitors in that we include gas conditioning prior to combustion of our producer gas fuel. Therefore, we are able to retrofit existing equipment at a customer’s facility rather than requiring the installation of new solid fuel boiler equipment, for example.
Frontline also has a strong parallel effort to develop integrated systems for biomass-to-products. “Biomass-to-products” means any of a variety of approaches that uses Frontline’s syngas or pyrolysis systems to make fuels and chemicals including ethanol, hydrogen, boiler fuel oil, ammonia for fertilizer manufacture, mixed alcohols, and synthetic gasoline, diesel and jet fuel distillates. Frontline is actively developing strategic relationships and technology for the conversion of syngas into liquid transportation fuels, hydrogen, and ammonia or other valuable chemicals.
Frontline also provides biomass combustion systems for smaller scale applications where this makes the most sense for our customer.
1. Gasification to displace natural gas
- Gasification utilizes air as oxidizer.
- System co-located with industrial steam user.
- “Producer gas” can be piped to multiple locations on-site.
- Frontline’s CLEANGAS™ technology mitigates hydrocarbons (tars) that are typically produced during biomass gasification. This allows improved gas distribution and cleanup processes without worries of tars condensing in downstream equipment.
- Can retrofit existing water tube boilers and dryers with change of burner.
- Economical for applications requiring at least 45,000 pph steam or 40 MMBtu/hr with biomass availability of at least 75 tons/day.
- First commercial system being installed at Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company.
- Gasifier system sales to begin Fall, 2007.
2. Gasification for syngas products
- Gasification utilizes blend of oxygen and steam as oxidizer, which requires additional oxygen enrichment equipment.
- Frontline’s moderate pressure gasification improves economics of fermentation and catalytic conversion processes.
- System to be located near biomass supply or products user.
3. Fast Pyrolysis for synthetic fuels
- Pyrolysis occurs by heating biomass in absence of oxidizer at lower temperatures than gasification. Production of hydrocarbons is maximized and condensed into a liquid resembling crude oil.
- Frontline is currently funded by the USDA for fundamental pyrolysis technology development.
Combustion for heat
- Frontline provides system integration for biomass combustion projects. Let our team help select your solid fuel boiler and feed system, and do the engineering to make it all integrate with your facility.
- Combustion systems are generally more economical at smaller scales (down to 10 ton biomass/day.
- Combustion systems are generally more utilized with high moisture biomass materials(>30% water).
To understand what biomass solution may best fit your situation, consider having Frontline conduct an engineering study suited to your needs. We can test your particular biomass feedstocks in our pilot gasifier, customize an approach for your emissions control, conduct mass-energy balances and develop a best integration strategy for your facility. This is also a useful step in getting corporate team members familiar with the benefits of biomass.
