Newsletter/ nawaros®
01/02
Heating with grain - a controversial
subject
12th European Biomass Conference
4th European Biomass Day in autumn
Subject-matter at school: Renewable resources
New technology for the production of cellulose
Innovative Bavaria
C.A.R.M.E.N. expert talk: Support programmes for biomass
plants in Bavaria
Recently published
Biomass heating plant at the school in Teisendorf
On our own behalf
Heating with grain - a controversial subject
Grain is a basic foodstuff but also a raw material, for
example for the starch production. The selling price of grain is far below
its market value as a bio-fuel, though. It seems to be interesting from
an economic point of view to combust grain instead of heating oil. 2.5
kg of grain approximately equal one litre of oil. With 3.5 up to 4.0 kWh/kg
the heating value of grain compares with that of wood. Wood pellets are
also distinctly more expensive than grain.
Why should not the "whole grain power" be used and the energy production
be considered? Especially grain that does not reach the necessary bread
or animal feed quality is suited. With an extensive cultivation strategy
of energy grain as a renewable raw material an additional agricultural
source of income is opened up for set-aside land.
Bread, however, ranks high in religion. Can the combustion of grain be
ethically justified? Western food surplus is faced with regions where
famines occur. But is not the estimation of foodstuffs reflected in the
current grain price? Moreover, maize, rape, sunflower, and many other
cultivated plants also lead a "double life" as foodstuffs and renewable
raw materials. The cultivation of versatile plants promotes the agricultural
profitability and helps to preserve historic regions. Technical prerequisites
are wanting, though. Pellet heating systems, the handling of which is
similar, would have to be adapted. As compared to wood, the grain combustion
produces five times the amount of ash. Slag formations and ash clods in
the combustion area are the effects. In the heat exchangers an increased
corrosivity was noticed. Without secondary dust removal facilities the
permitted dust emission levels were exceeded. The nitrogen oxide emission
can also be a problem for the combustion due to the high nitrogen content
of the grain.
Manufacturers of firing plants were hindered in their development work
because grain is no licensed fuel according to the small firing installations
ordinance. Technically mature plants for blade plants and grain have barely
been offered so far.
The grain combustion is in a legal grey area for small firing plants up
to 100 kW. They are subject to the 1. Bundes-Immissionsschutzverordnung
(i.e. the '1st federal ambient pollution control ordinance'), which lists
permitted fuels. For facilities up to 15 kW only wood and pressed wood
is allowed. Plants from 15 to 100 kW are additionally allowed to combust
straw and straw-like vegetable substances. The definition of straw-like
substances remains in the responsibility of the German lands. They decide
whether grain is part of these substances, what was already denied in
many lands. Operators must definitely get a special permission from the
approving authority before running a grain combustion plant.
Information: BIZ, tel.: +49-711-78139-08, fax: +49-711-78061-77, e-Mail:
info@biomasse-info.net (http://www.biomasse-info.net),
LWZ Haus Düsse, tel.: +49-2945-989-0, fax: -133, e-Mail: HausDuesse@lk-wl.nrw.de,
(http://www.duesse.de)
or directly at C.A.R.M.E.N.
12th European Biomass Conference
This year the conference and technology exhibition on biomass
for energy, industry, and climate protection takes place in Amsterdam
from 17th to 21st June.
The enormous success of the first World Biomass Conference and Exhibition
in Sevilla in June 2000 makes it probable that the event in Amsterdam
will meet with great interest, too. Many European companies will present
themselves with common stands. C.A.R.M.E.N. will again offer a stand together
with the BBE and the BDBH for German enterprises and associations.
Information on the Biomass Conference: In the internet under http://www.wip-munich.de
and http://www.etaflorence.it
or directly at C.A.R.M.E.N. Interested exhibitors should please directly
contact Walter Wallrapp from C.A.R.M.E.N., tel. +49-9421-960-375.
4th European Biomass Day in autumn
This year the European Biomass Day will already take place
for the fourth time. The AEBIOM put the organisation of the event in C.A.R.M.E.N.'s
hands. The "European Biomass Association" (AEBIOM), founded in 1990, is
a union of 21 national biomass associations. It has called upon its members
to contribute their share to the organisation of the European Biomass
Day. The aim of the event, which will presumably take place in the last
week of September, is to inform the public on the importance of the use
of renewable resources.
Thus, those interested in all regions of Europe should get an insight
at one or several Open Days how renewable raw materials are successfully
used already today as a source of energy and as a raw material. Up until
now, the Biomass Day has taken place at one special day. It is being considered
now to offer a "Biomass Week".
Information at C.A.R.M.E.N., Karl Hanglberger, tel.: +49-9421-960-376
Subject-matter at school: Renewable resources
Today's generation of pupils is already confronted with
changed raw material and climate conditions. Therefore, information and
discussions on renewable raw materials are so important. They show the
resource scarcity, help to protect natural means of livelihood and to
open up a sustainable management. Linked to that is the possibility of
a gaining a regional net product and of the creation of future-capable
jobs.
Five years ago the first edition of the volume "Nachwachsende Rohstoffe"
(i.e. 'Renewable Raw Materials') was published, which the Bavarian Ministry
of Agriculture and Forests ordered from C.A.R.M.E.N. Research and application
up to the market launch have constantly been developing further. This
required a revision. It has now been presented and comprises 26 chapters.
The topics were didactically and professionally prepared by Dr. Karl-Heinz
Scharf from the Akademie für Lehrerfortbildung (i.e. 'Academy for the
Advanced Training of Teachers') in Dillingen, by Bachelor of Science in
biology Monika Benz from C.A.R.M.E.N., by principal Dr. Rupert Schäfer,
from the Bavarian Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, and by further
14 experts.
In order to make teachers approachable for this subject, a course on renewable
raw materials took place at the Academy for the Advanced Training of Teachers
in Dillingen from 17th to 21st December 2001. Anton Adelhardt, head of
department at the Bavarian Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, opened
the event. He praised the progress that was made in the field of renewable
resources. Biodiesel, now already a pillar of the fuel market, was one
of the most graphic proofs of that, he said. Equipped with expert information,
patterns for photocopying, experiments, question-and-answer catalogues,
the volume does not only offer background knowledge and general helpful
information for teachers; it is also a valuable reference book.
Information: C.A.R.M.E.N., Monika Benz, tel.: +49-9421-960-359.
New technology for the production of cellulose
A new technology for the production of cellulose from domestic
wood is presently developed by two producers of cellulose derivates, the
Wolff-Cellulosics (Walsrode) and Rhodia Acetow (Freiburg) together with
the Bundesforschungsanstalt (i.e. the 'Federal Research Institute') BFH
(Hamburg), and the company VTA (Deggendorf).
Solutions in terms of process engineering, studies concerning the cleaning
and bleaching of the chemical cellulose and its further processing are
the focal points of the project, which is financially supported by the
Federal Ministry for Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture. As results,
a pilot plant and the concept for a production facility with a capacity
starting from 20,000 tons per year are planned to follow.
Conventional chemical methods of digestion require ecologically questionable
sulphur compounds. The cellulose and the other components, too, are to
be won as valuable chemical raw materials by the new technology. Lignin
turns up in a non-sulphur form. The cellulose won is more reactive and
transformable into the derivatives much in demand.
Presently, industry is unable to get along without imports from abroad.
Apart from economic aspects, the domestic forestry as a supplier of raw
material benefits from the new method. The results should be available
in autumn 2002.
Information: Fachagentur für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (FNR), Hofplatz 1,
18276 Gülzow, tel. +49-3843/6930-0, fax: -102, e-Mail: info@fnr.de,
Internet: http://www.fnr.de
Innovative Bavaria
"Towards the future with new energy," is the motto
of the Bayerischer Energiepreis (i.e. the 'Bavarian Energy Award') 2002.
The Bavarian Ministry of Economy, Traffic and Technology awards the prize
together with the Bayerisches Energie-Forum (i.e. the 'Bavarian Energy
Forum'). Outstanding performances in the field of renewable energies,
new energy technologies and the rational use of energy are appreciated
with EUR 25,000 altogether. The condition is that the projects have already
been realised. Communities, rural districts, and universities are invited
to apply just as much as craftsmen, architects, engineering consultants,
and companies. Until the 31st January applications can be handed in at
the authorities that have the right of nomination.
Information: Bayern Innovativ, Gewerbemuseumsplatz 2, 90403 Nürnberg,
tel. +49-1805-357035, e?Mail: schirmer@bayern-innovativ.de,
(http://www.bayern-innovativ.de/projekte/detail/651_0).
C.A.R.M.E.N. expert talk: Support programmes for biomass plants in
Bavaria
The Bavarian Ministry of Agriculture and Forests has been
promoting biomass plants in Bavaria for more than ten years now. The conditions
for promotion have been developed further, new programmes have been introduced.
The current status of the promotion practice is the subject of an expert
talk that takes place in the Kompetenzzentrum für Nachwachsende Rohstoffe
(i.e. the 'competence centre for renewable resources') in Straubing on
the 29th January 2002 at 5 p.m., together with the technology and promotion
centre.
The info evening addresses to design engineering and planning offices.
A binding registration is necessary until one week before the beginning
of the event at the latest.
Informationen under http://www.carmen-ev.de
or directly at C.A.R.M.E.N.
Recently published
A market analysis "Industrial Fields of Application of
High-Oleic Vegetable Oils" was published by the Fachagentur für Nachwachsende
Rohstoffe (FNR) (i.e. the 'Specialised Agency for Renewable Raw Materials').
It shows the future market areas in the chemical industry, in the production
of lubricants and synthetics and in cosmetics.
The conference proceedings Forum Färberpflanzen Dornburg 2001, also published
by the FNR, give a summary of the last forum for dye plants. The book
describes the development in the fields of cultivation method, growing,
production techniques of raw materials and extraction of colourants.
Both publications are available for free at the Fachagentur für Nachwachsende
Rohstoffe (FNR), Hofplatz 1, 18276 Gülzow, tel.: +49-38 43/6 93-0, fax:
-102, e-Mail: infomaterial@fnr.de,
Internet: http://www.fnr.de
Biomass heating plant at the school in Teisendorf
On the 10th December 2001 the biomass heating plant at
the school in Teisendorf was inaugurated. The municipal council of the
community of Teisendorf took the decision to build a biomass heating station
because the school and the gymnasium needed a new heating system and the
construction of a home and nursing home for the aged was planned.
The biomass boiler is fired half with chopped wood from the forests and
half with left-over wood from sawmills. Moreover, the community of Teisendorf
laid out an energy forest that is to be used as source of energy ten years
from now. The boiler is continuously operated during the heating period
and covers the base load. Two oil boilers with a total output of approximately
750 kW secure the supply of the peak load.
The investment cost amounted to EUR 410,000 (DEM 801,000). The Free State
of Bavaria granted EUR 115,000 of subsidies. The community raised EUR
74,000, the home for the aged 70,000; the remaining EUR 151,000 were raised
by outside financing.
By means of the biomass plant more than 150,000 litres of heating oil
can be saved per year. This corresponds to a reduction of the emission
of climate-relevant gases of about 350 tons.
Information: Markt Teisendorf, Mr. Mayer, Poststraße 14, 83317 Markt Teisendorf,
or at C.A.R.M.E.N.
On our own behalf
The C.A.R.M.E.N.-Forum 2002 takes place on the 8th April
in Straubing. Subject: Quality management for rapeseed oil fuel, biodiesel,
and biogas. Target group: All users in practice, such as farmers, plant
constructors, energy and environmental engineers and consultants, planning
offices, representatives from the authorities, and all others who ar
e interested in the subject.
C.A.R.M.E.N. celebrates its 10th birthday! Apart from the symposium "Im
Kreislauf der Natur - Naturstoffe für die moderne Gesellschaft" (i.e.
"Within the Cycle of Nature - Natural Substances for Modern Society")
on the 8th and 9th July 2002 festivities are planned from the 5th to 7th
July. For further information on both events, please contact Carmen Weber,
tel.: +49-9421/960-357, e-Mail: carmen.weber@carmen-ev.bayern.de.
From the year 2002 onwards, the price for the annual subscription of nawaros®
is EUR 25,50, plus 7 % VAT.
