Energy extraction by the Pyro-BAF Process

The Pyro-BAF technology is a two-stage process generating an engine-suited fuel from biomass in combination with oil-containing waste materials for use in cogeneration units.

In a first process step the biomass is separated into biochar and pyrolysis gas by means of a pyrolysis unit. As the reaction occurs under controlled heating levels (450-500°C) it reduces the formation of tar and almost no pollutants are generated.

In a second step the resulting pyrolysis gas is fed into the BAF reactor where it reacts with a hot residue oil. The resulting product gas is condensed into an oil component and a diesel-water component by two stages of cooling. Finally the remaining gas is converted in a combined heat and power unit into electrical energy and heat. Oil and diesel are storable and will also be used as a fuel in the CHP plant or as heating oil as required.

The BAF process offers several advantages over pure pyrolysis:
On the one hand the pyrolysis gas is cleaned by the oil into which it is fed. On the other hand the gas also reacts with the oil and cracks it in substantially lower temperature ranges than would be possible without pyrolysis gas. This reaction creates a more stable, storable diesel component which also has a significantly higher energy content than pure pyrolysis oil. Optionally more gas or diesel can be produced in the BAF process depending on the feedstock and the temperature used in the BAF reactor. The feedstock for the BAF reactor may range from plastic waste (PE/PP) to oil residues, to bio oils.