A circulating fluid bed fast pyrolysis system has been designed, built and commissioned. Fast pyrolysis is carried out in the riser of a CFB using reheated sand and hot combustion products from burning char in a bubbling fluid bed at the base of the riser (22).

Egemin (Belgium)

This 200 kg/h capacity entrained downflow system was commissioned in 1991 and operated at up to around 50 kg/h giving liquid yields around 45% wt. (4). it was closed down permanently in 1992 due to unpromising results from the unit and lack of further support from the EC. It is unlikely to be restarted,

3.5.2.4 ENEL (Italy!

A contract has been signed to purchase a 650 kg/h Ensyn RTP-III plant (transported bed reactor) employing recycle gas (23). This will be commissioned around September 1995. The bio-oil product will be tested in a variety of applications including firing in a power station boiler, upgrading by hydrotreating and firing both an engine and turbine.

3.5.2.5 I NET! (Portugal)

A 100 mm diameter fluid bed has been operated for fast pyrolysis at feed rates of 0.18 to 0.6 kg/h. The maximum total liquid yield at 500’C from pine was 51% which increased to 55% at 600’C. The liquid had characteristics similar to those from other fast pyrolysis systems. Tests have also been carried out on a 300 mm square fluid bed (24). Work is continuing on co-pyrolysis of biomass with plastics (25).