IEA Bioenergy Task 34: Direct Thermochemical Liquefaction (Working Period 2025 - 2027)

Direct thermochemical liquefaction of biomass and residues enables the production of fuels, bioenergy and other green carbon products. The co-production of several products is particularly important for the economic efficiency of the overall process. This project provides technology overviews of decentralized pyrolysis plants and case studies on co-production of green gas and biochar as well as integration into bioenergy systems.

Short Description

IEA Bioenergy Task 34 focuses on the thermochemical liquefaction of sustainable biomass for transportation fuels, bioenergy and chemicals. While in the past the focus was mainly on the utilization of pyrolysis oils from fast pyrolysis, there is an increasing focus on the co-production of other products such as biochar, renewable gases and bioenergy, which should improve the economic efficiency of pyrolysis plants. Pyrolysis technology will thus play an important role in CO2 negative fuel and bioenergy production.

The scope of this project includes all steps of a process for the production of liquid fuels and energetic intermediates from biomass and/or power generation as well as for the production of value-added chemicals - starting from biogenic raw/residual material, conversion processes, purification steps, product specifications and application possibilities. To this end, IEA Bioenergy Task 34 is pursuing the following work program for the period 2025-2027:

Production of advanced (co-)products - standards and efficiency of production
Use of different raw materials to produce a bio-based liquid product
Supporting commercialization through knowledge transfer
Increased exchange of information with interest groups

Austrian participation will focus in particular on the use of pyrolysis gases and the co-production of biochar, networking national stakeholders and presenting the results internationally. Standardization activities, for example through ISO TC 238, will also be supported.

Direct results and contribution of Austria:

Report on the use of gas and coal by-products (Deliverable D1.2). This will provide an overview of best practice options for the co-production of biochar and pyrolysis gases and serve as an impetus for implementation.
Report and study on mobile and small pyrolysis plants. This report will extend the study on decentralized pyrolysis plants (available under Pyrolysis Technologies in Europe - Sustainable Economy).
Participation in the inter-task project BECCUS (BioEnergy and Carbon Capture Utilization or Storage) with a focus on BCR (Biochar Carbon Removal). Best-practice examples and mass/energy balances are used to demonstrate the potential for net-negative CO2 technologies.

Participants

Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany (leader), Finland, Netherlands, New Zealand, United States of America

Contact Address

Manuel Schwabl
BEST – Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH
Gewerbepark Haag 3, 3250 Wieselburg
E-Mail: manuel.schwabl@best-research.eu

Elisabeth Wopienka
BEST – Bioenergy and Sustainable Technologies GmbH
Gewerbepark Haag 3, 3250 Wieselburg
E-Mail: elisabeth.wopienka@best-research.eu