Soil to Engine Integrated Strategy for Sustainable Biofuels Energy Generation

Assemblée Générale du RMEI ‘Rabat 2011’ - 29-30 Septembre

Ecole Nationale de l’Industrie Minérale



F. Pittaluga – University of Genova

DIMSET/SCL – Savona Combustion Laboratory

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http://proxy.sv.inge.unige.it/SCL/

An integrated strategy “soil-to-engine”

for Moroccan territorial development

and biofuels-based energy generation

Conceiving a possible strategy




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Morocco is dominated by the Mediterranean climate as rainfall occurs mostly

within the cool season, whilst the warm season is dry.

The main bioclimatic subdivisions are:

- Saharan or desert, with annual rainfall less than 100 mm and erratic. Winter

temperatures are mild along the Atlantic coast, but become cool some 10 km

inland and cold further inland;

- Arid, with annual rainfall ranging from 100 mm to 400 mm. This concerns

the southern fringe of the Atlas mountains, the Moulouya Valley, the Eastern

High Plateaus, the Souss plain and the plains north of the Atlas. The Pre-

Saharan zone, bound by the 100 mm and the 200 mm isohyets and extending

over 5.7 million hectares, belongs to this bioclimatic zone.







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- Semi-arid, with annual rainfall ranging from 400 mm to 600 mm. This concerns

the major cereal regions such as the plains of Doukkala, Chaouia, Gharb, Saiss,

as well as large portions of the Anti Atlas, High Atlas, Middle Atlas, Central

Plateau, the Pre-Rif zone and the Eastern Rif mountain range;

-Sub-humid, with annual rainfall ranging from 600 to 800 mm, encountered

within the mountain ranges of the Rif, the Middle Atlas, the High Atlas and on

localised coastal area (Western Mamora cork-oak forest).







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Morocco physical map and annual rainfall





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Traditional societies resorted to tribal prayers and dance rituals to induce rain.

Morocco has taken a more scientific approach. For over three decades, the

Country has been developing high-tech solutions to fight drought, increase

snow coverage and better understand precipitation.

The chief focus is Morocco's programme to develop artificial precipitation. Rain

can be induced by flying through clouds and spreading a combination of silver,

sodium and acetone. However, clouds must be extremely cold. To determine

when they have reached a suitable temperature, the sky must be observed with

radar and other sophisticated technology.

TECNOFOREST Co.







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An alternative strategy could be based on soil natural fertilization as induced by

an extensive, progressive establishment of a vegetation canopy.

Whilst sub-humid zones could become candidate for self-fertilizing rapid-growth

forestation, arid zones could be positively addressed to oil-seeds cultivation.

Forestation activities may induce a progressive increase of local levels in evapo-

transpiration with remarkable improvement of local micro-climate.

On the other side, biomass (from wood) and bio-oil (from oil seeds) may become

valuable biofuels for territorial energy generation and also energy ‘commodities’

with interesting market value at international level.

Let us introduce a proposal conceived, at the University of Genova, jointly by

DIMSET/SCL and TECNOFOREST, an academic spin-off in the ‘Bio-Energies’ field.

TECNOFOREST Co.



Soil characterization

and arboreal-seeds’ activated germination techniques



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TECNOFOREST is an engineering/ agronomic company, recently established

as a University spin-off (from DIMSET/SCL) endowed with a germplasm bank

and an annexed arboreal seedlings nursery.

A germ-plasm bank is essentially an arboreal seeds’ organised collection

comprising, in sequence, the following sections:

• seeds desiccation

• seeds conservation

• activated germination

The ”Conservation area” is equipped with refrigeration systems ( - 20 °C)

suitable to strongly reduce seeds’ metabolism, in a temperature/humidity

controlled environment. By these means, seeds can be conserved for very

long times. They can also be pre-conditioned for activated germination.









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The Germ-Plasm Bank

Arboreal Seeds Desiccation - Refrigeration

Freezer cells

with seeds’

containers

Trees’

seedlings

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When the sowing operation is planned to start, the seeds are taken out

from the refrigeration cells in order to undergo a bio-fermentation process

in dedicated fermenters, at about 35 °C temperature in a saturated water

vapor environment. These conditions induce a safe, rapid and efficient

activation of the seeds’ germination.

In a first scenario, named AHS, “Aerial Hydro Seeding”, situation-specific

hydro-mixtures are prepared by properly selecting quantities and species

of the germinating seeds. Then, these latter undergo mixing, in airborne

“pouring tanks”, with rain water containing biodynamic nutrients and

binding agents. Finally, from the tanks being carried by helicopters, the

above hydro-mixtures can be sprayed over wide territorial expanses, even

of difficult reach or at all unaccessible by land.



TECNOFOREST Co.







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TECNOFOREST Co.

Aerial Hydro-Seeding Modalities







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A very interesting variant of Hydro-Seeding technique is called Osmopriming,

which has been specifically conceived for helping seeds’ germination and root-

taking in arid environments. In general, seed priming is a pre-sowing strategy

for inducing seedling development by modulating pre-germination metabolic

activity prior to emergence of the radicle.

Osmopriming is a technique by which seeds (in particular oil-rich seeds) are

soaked in osmotic solutions, such as polyethylene glycol, characterised by a

powerful and time-prolonged seed-hydration capacity. Typically, germinating

seeds, soaked into the osmotic solution, are embedded (in regular order) within

long, biodegradable tissue strips to be deployed, row by row, even for

hundredths of hectares, on arid terrains. By this means, mechanical harvesting

is also remarkably favoured and enhanced.



TECNOFOREST Co.







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In an alternative scenario, named RGCF, “Rapid-Growth Consociated Forestry”,

the germinating seeds are planted in a tree nursery so to become, after about

10 months, seedlings (25-30 cm tall) ready to be transplanted into the target

territory.

The families and species of the tree seedlings, rich in biodiversity, belong to

the “hardwood” type (high lignin content): they, organised in so-called

“consociated woods”, are characterised by peculiar soil (‘humus’) enriching

activity and rapid growth. Their wood is particularly rich in calorific value.

Typical consociated trees are the following: Syberian Elm, Field Elm, Ciliate

Elm, Ash Oxyphyllus, Wild Cherry, Myrobalan, Prunus Mahaleb, Torminalis

Sorb, Bohemian Olive tree, Field Maple and some others.

Rapid-Growth Consociated Forestry TECNOFOREST Co.







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Tree Seedlings Nursery

(TECNOFOREST Co.)








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Seedlings

Transplanting

(April 2008)








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Seedlings

Transplanting

(April 2008)








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Seedlings

Transplanting

(April 2008)








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Rapid-Growth Consociated Forestry

RAPID GROWTH OF THE TREES

date: July 2008,

3 months from transplanting

date: August 2008,

4 months from transplanting

TECNOFOREST Co.







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date: October 2009, 18 months from transplanting

TECNOFOREST Co.







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date: July 2010, 28 months from transplanting

TECNOFOREST Co.







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Consociated Wood

at Carpi (Emilia Region)

8 years from transplanting

TECNOFOREST Co.







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Solid Biomass Conversion Technologies







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Torrefaction is a feasible method for improving the properties of biomass as

a fuel. It consists of a slow heating of biomass in an inert atmosphere to a

maximum temperature of 300 °C. The treatment yields a solid uniform

product with quite lower volume and moisture contents and sensibly higher

heat values compared to those in the initial biomass.

It is a predictable, flexible fuel with optimum combustion and transport

economies. Due to the low moisture content of torrefied wood, the transport

cost is lower and the quality as a fuel is higher. It is easily packaged,

standardised and transported, and thus constitutes an efficient fuel.

Wood-Biomass Thermal Pre-Treatments at DIMSET/SCL







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Wood

Torrefaction

Machine







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Wood-Biomass Combustion for Boiler Application







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Biomass Gasification at

DIMSET/SCL







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Biomass Gasification at

DIMSET/SCL







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Biomass Gasification at DIMSET/SCL

BioSyn 10

Gasifier

operational

on its

‘power

pallet’







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Biomass Gasification at DIMSET/SCL

BioSyn 10

Gasifier

operational

on its

‘power

pallet’







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Liquid Biofuel Energy Conversion Technologies







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Flash

>106 W/m2

Fast

>105 W/m2

Medium

>104 W/m2

Slow

>103 W/m2

Gas

Bio-oil

Char

Biomass pyrolysis processes







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Biomass flash-pyrolysis pilot plant at DIMSET/SCL







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Bio-Oil Production on Moroccan Territories

http://www.weihenstephan.de/blm/l

eu/forschung/abbildungen/pugier

Jatropha curcas:

a “powerful, grow-it anywhere” oil plant

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Subfamily: Crotonoideae

Tribe: Jatropheae

Genus: Jatropha

Species: curcas

kanpurdehat.nic.in

Fruits

Seeds







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• Cultivation is uncomplicated. Jatropha curcas

grows in tropical and subtropical regions.

• The plant can grow on almost any terrain, even on

gravelly, sandy and saline soils.

• It can thrive in poor and stony soils.

• Complete germination is achieved within 9 days.

• No manure adding is needed during germination.

• It can be propagated by cuttings, which yields

faster results than multiplication by seeds.








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• Flowers develop only at stems’ ends, so a good

ramification yields the greatest amount of fruits.

• The plants are self-compatible (self-fertilizing).

• Jatropha thrives on a mere 250 mm of rain a year.

• Only during its first two years it needs some water

in the closing days of the dry season.

• This shrub has a life expectancy of 40 years.

• Pesticides are not needed: curcas is poisonous,

pesticidal and fungicidal by itself.

• The plant starts yielding from 9–12 months time,

best yields are obtained after 2 – 3 years time.








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• Inflorescence: up to 10 fruits.

• Each fruit contains 3 dark seeds about 1.5 - 2 cm

long and 0.7 - 1 g weight.

• Seed production is around 0.7 - 2 kg/plant which

corresponds to 3.5 tons/hectare

• Propagation through seed (sexual propagation)

leads to high genetic variability in terms of growth,

biomass, seed yield, oil content. Clonal techniques

can help in optimizing this issue.

• Vegetative propagation can be achieved by stem

cuttings, grafting, budding and air layering.








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• Seed-oil extraction is achievable by appropriate

technologies, of mechanical or hydraulic type.

• Seed-oil content varies from 28% to 35%: one

hectare of plantation will thus give from 1.6 to 2 ton

of oil, for average soils.

• Jatropha oil is not edible, as it induces strong

vomiting and diarrhea (“spurge”).

• The oily seeds are processed into oil, which may be

used directly (“straight vegetable oil") to fuel

stationary internal combustion engines or may be

subjected to transesterification to produce biodiesel

for road vehicle applications.








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…and finally: Jatropha Curcas as a Multi-Purpose Tree

• Full plant: erosion control, fire wood, hedge plant

• Bark: rich in tannin, dark blu dye

• Leaves: rearing of silkworm, dyeing, anti-inflammatory substance

• Latex: has pesticidal and mollusc control properties

• Flowers: attract bees, potential use honey production

• Seed oil: soap production, insecticide, lubrificant, fuel

• Seed cake: fertiliser, biogas, fodder (detoxified varieties)

• Seed shells: combustibile

• Fruit hulls: green manure, biogas

• Roots: oil with anti-helminthic properties







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Power generation by means of bio-oil fueled int. comb. engines

Overall Scenario of Bio-Fuels derived from Solid Biomass and Oily-Seeds







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Biorefinery processes for Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel Reaction

Combining :

Vegetable Oil

(100 kg)

+

Methanol or

Ethanol

(10 kg)

+

Sodium Hydroxide

as catalyst (5 kg)

Yields:

Biodiesel

(100 kg)

+

Glycerin

(10 kg)







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Power generation by means of bio-oil fueled int. comb. engines

Liquid Bio-Fuels Compatible with Engine Manufacturers’ Specifications

Straight vegetable oil as bio-fuel for stationary engines







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Bio-Oil Fueled Power Generation at DIMSET/SCL

Deutz 250 kW, 1500 rpm, diesel genset at DIMSET/SCL

Join the international Jatropha Club at: www.futureenergyevents.com/jatropha

http://www.futureenergyevents.com/jatropha



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Analytical &Thermochemical Laboratory at DIMSET/SCL

(for Bio-Fuels Certified Characterizations)









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Operative Conclusions

• DIMSET/SCL is ready to pursue, jointly with Moroccan institutions

and partner teams, a programme of agronomic/ technological

initiatives aimed at territorial sustainable development and intelligent

energy solutions deployment

• TECNOFOREST can provide agronomic know-how, resources and

related technologies: arboreal seeds selection and development ,

arboreal seedlings supply (from Italy) and local settlements (in

Morocco) of seedlings’ nurseries , hydroseeding technologies, rapid

growth consociated forestry technologies and growth monitoring,

jatropha curcas seeds’ genetic development and propagation

technologies.







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• DIMSET/SCL can also provide know-how and technologies in wood

certified characterization (mechanical and thermo-chemical properties),

thermal pre-treatments (desiccation, torrefaction, carbonisation) and

energy utilisation (combustion, gasification, conversion to liquid fuels).

• TECNOFOREST , jointly with DIMSET/SCL, can supply expertise for

jatropha curcas cultivation, periodic harvesting, bio-oil extraction and

analytical/thermo-chemical characterization.







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• DIMSET/SCL can further provide know-how and technologies in

distributed energy generation for local cogeneration of heat and power

(biomass fueled power-plants via combustion or gasification, bio-oil

fueled internal combustion engines) and related heat-and-power

distribution networks (smart grids)

• DIMSET/SCL is closely linked with manufacturers and providers of

biorefinery technologies (oil seeds milling, extraction and purification,

bio-oil chemical conversion to biodiesel, fermentation reactors, etc.)







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Thank you for your attention

Design

Soil to Engine Integrated Strategy for Sustainable Biofuels Energy Generation