The BioTfueL project aims to produce biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass through gasification and synthesis. Partners include Total, Axens, CEA, IFP Energies Nouvelles, Avril, and ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions. The goal is to produce 200,000 metric tons of biodiesel and bio-jet fuel annually by 2020, with a demonstration plant expected to be operational by late 2016 in Dunkirk, France.
Location
- Pre-treatment: Avril site in Venette, France
- Gasification, purification and synthesis: Total site in Dunkirk, France
Partners: Axens, CEA, IFP Energies Nouvelles, Avril, ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions, Total
2020 target date to demonstrate the technology
The BioTfueL project launched by Total and five partners is designed to transform lignocellulosic biomass (straw, forest waste, dedicated energy crops) into biofuel via thermochemical conversion. The partners’ goal is to produce 200,000 metric tons of biodiesel and bio-jet fuel per year from one million metric tons of biomass by 2020.
The BioTfueL project is focused on developing an innovative process for converting biomass into high-quality biodiesel and bio-jet fuel. Gasification makes it possible to produce biofuels from lignocellulosic material, such as agricultural by-products, forest waste and energy crops. The process can also convert fossil feedstock mixed with biomass to account for seasonal variations in resource availability.
Biotfuel, a project to produce biofuels via thermochemical conversion
The biomass feedstock is torrefied and then converted into syngas in a gasifier. Once the syngas has been cleaned and conditioned, it is converted into a hydrocarbon mixture that can be used to produce fuel.
Timeline
After five years of R&D, the project is now entering a new phase with the construction of a demonstration plant that is expected to come on stream by late 2016. Total decided to install the gasification and synthesis units in Dunkirk.