7.1 INTRODUCTION

One of the main activities in this contract was to support and help develop a biomass information system (BIS) that would establish the basic structure of a comprehensive database of biomass related activities for access and analysis by EC officials and interested researchers. The contract was let to Hendyplan.

7.2 BIOMASS INFORMATION SYSTEM

7.2.1 Introduction

A database was designed that would allow the collation and interpretation of state of the art information in each of the areas covered by the bio-energy R&D activities. Unfortunately each area had such diverse information requirements and availability that fusion was proved impossible and the rest of this section is devoted to describing the thermal conversion contribution.

The database was initially envisaged as taking the form of three separate files linked by a common set of keywords as follows:

• Database: Containing basic contacting information;

• Technology: Providing information on the basic technologies and

who is involved with their development; and

• Products: Providing information on the individual products that

may be derived and how they can be used.

A flow diagram of the anticipated and planned interactions is given in Figure 7.1 which is described in more detail below.

Having identified the necessary interactions required for a successful and self- evolving system the database methodology was then simplified to aid a successful outcome to the project and the resultant database was formulated and is summarised in sections 7.2.2 to 7.2.4 below as a preliminary outline of the database worksheet.

Subsequent discussions and requests for the database to include assessments and comparisons of each EC contract included led to the final version shown below in Table 7.1, preceding the 20 sets of specimen data supplied.

Although the final data was sent in January 1994, no further contact has been possible with Hendyplan and requests for reports and working versions of the final database for testing and appraisal have not been fruitful. A critical review of the final database would have provided valuable feedback to Hendyplan and the EC to help formulating future plans for such an activity.

Masterfile, directory, keywords

Description, performance, cost

Characteristics, costs

Characteristics, values

Calculation of capital costs & product costs

Evaluation of costs and performance

Figure 7.1 Components of projected database and interactions

7.2.2 “DATABASE” section of BIS

The initial proposed composition is summarised below:

Abbreviation, full name

Main person by surname and initials

Including fields for town/city, post code, country.

Define, maximum 10 words Define as keywords from list supplied:

Pyrolysis, Gasification, Combustion, Liquefaction, Upgrading, Power generation, Chemicals, Catalysts, Other, to be defined — for cross referencing to TECHNOLOGIES and PRODUCTS.

Feed rate kg/h

Define all by name including pseudonyms and alternatives. Can be established to link to a FEEDSTOCK file.

Define any special requirements such as maximum

particle size or maximum moisture content

Define major product produced or required — for cross

referencing to TECHNOLOGY and PRODUCTS

Define any special or peculiar properties

Define

Define

Names in full and abbreviations where relevant Names in full and abbreviations where relevant Names in full and abbreviations where relevant