Biocoal: A Cleaner Energy Source

Biocoal is a clean alternative to fossil raw materials. It can directly replace, for example, coal in existing power plants and process industries. Its adoption does not require expensive investments in infrastructure changes, allowing production to continue uninterrupted despite the fuel switch.

Process

  • Harvest residue or similar biomass is brought to the plant.
  • The biomass is dried in a belt dryer to approximately 5% moisture content.
  • The biomass is fed into a drum-like reactor.
  • The material is torrefied, or roasted, in an oxygen-free environment at a temperature of 300-400°C.
  • The mass is compressed into energy-dense briquettes.
  • The briquettes are loaded and transported to customers.
  • The heat generated during the process is fed back into the process, for example, as an energy source for the dryer, and any surplus is fed into Joensuu's district heating network.
Biocoal production process

The biocoal produced in this process is water-resistant and energy-dense. It can be used directly for heat or power generation in power plants or in industry, such as cement and steel plants. The production process operates by oxidising the gaseous fractions released from the raw material, which generate the heat needed for torrefaction.

The final product complies with the requirements set out in the law on biofuels, bio-liquids, and biomass fuels. Torrefied biomass is classified as a CO2-free material and energy source under national and EU emissions trading legislation.

Replacing fossil Coal is a Significant Environmental Action

Over 80% of the world's energy production is based on the use of fossil raw materials, of which coal accounts for 37%. 70% of all steel production processes are fossil coal-based. Until now, coal has been a cheap and, to some extent, the only option for certain industries, especially in developing countries. (Source: https://www.worldcoal.org/coal-facts/)

The emissions caused by fossil coal are expected to continue to increase after the temporary drop-in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Source: https://www.iea.org/reports/global-energy-review-2021/co2-emissions)

Replacing fossil coal has a massive potential for emission reduction and offers broad commercial prospects.

Initially, Joensuu Biocoal Oy will produce biocoal as a raw material for industries such as cement and steel production.

Biocoal has nearly the same energy density as fossil coal and can be directly used as a renewable and lower-emission alternative to fossil coal in most existing processes.

The production of biocoal can achieve a neutral or even negative carbon footprint in terms of direct and indirect emissions (Scope 1 and 2), offering immediate opportunities for significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

Towards Carbon Neutrality

The goal of the Paris Agreement is to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. Achieving this goal requires rapid, low-emission, and affordable alternatives to replace existing fossil energy sources.

Warming will only stop if carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere are reduced to a fraction of the current level. This means moving away from the use of existing non-renewable fossil materials and committing to carbon capture.

With biomass-based energy and material solutions, it is possible to halt and even reverse the harmful release of carbon from various processes. When used for soil improvement, biocoal decomposes slowly and stores carbon in the soil for centuries, acting as a carbon sink and improving the soil's biosphere and water retention capabilities.

Commercially Valuable Raw Material from By-Products

The torrefaction process can refine various plant-based waste materials, such as low-value fractions from the forestry industry, into energy-dense products. This allows, for example, harvesting residues to create added value for the producer—an opportunity to commercially utilize the resulting by-products.

The biofuel market is expected to develop rapidly. According to a forecast by consulting and engineering company AFRY, bio-based fuels could achieve up to €30 billion worth of new bio-business annually with minor adjustments.