Converting Waste Agricultural Biomass into a Resource - UNEP

TRI 17
USA, Commercial
Crop
Residue
Process
Equipment
Main Product
A wide variety renewable organic feedstock
Agricultural residue
Gasification
Gasifier
Syngas
Technical Description of Technology
TRI’s technology, which processes any organic biomass, including spent
liquors, bark, forest residuals, agricultural residuals and energy crops,
converts organic carbon to a hydrogen and carbon monoxide synthesis gas
(“syngas”) that can be used to displace natural gas, be burned in a combined
cycle power generation system or be the fundamental building block for the
production of biofuels and biochemicals.
TRI’s biomass to syngas process can be used to displace or supplement
existing chemical and energy recovery systems or integrate a biorefinery into
a manufacturing process. The technology offers dramatic competitive
advantages to industry in terms of energy efficiency, operating cost
effectiveness, environmental compliance, new products, and new revenue
streams.
Environmental Considerations
The TRI process is carbon neutral. TRI’s biomass-to-energy processes are
not water-intensive. Large-scale work with Norampac in Canada is all done
with the client remaining a “zero effluent discharge facility,” the highest
standard for such a facility.
Examples of Real Life Applications
Norampac Trenton, Ontario, Canada
Norampac is the largest manufacturer of containerboard in Canada. Its
Trenton mill produces 500 tons per day of corrugating medium from mixed
hardwoods, semi-chem pulp and old corrugated containers (OCC). The mill is
a zero effluent facility and is committed to the highest environmental
standards and operating efficiency. Prior to installing the TRI spent liquor
gasification system the mill had no chemical and energy recovery process.
Spent liquor was stored in ponds and sold to local counties for use as a soil
binder and dust suppressant on gravel and dirt roads. This practice was
terminated in 2002. After reviewing all options for the processing of spent
liquor, Norampac chose the TRI system because it would provide the
17 http://www.tri-inc.net/contact_us.html
35