Demonstration and Evaluation of complete BIOAGRO method
Action 1: Demonstration and Evaluation of complete BIOAGRO method (full scale)

The action intends to demonstrate how Skånefrö (and other seed producers, seed co-operations, farmers and alike) can transfer waste from seed and different cereals, oilseed and rapeseed cake into energy in a well functioning cycle, where all parts such as mixing, pellet machines, boilers etc operate efficiently together and where rest products can be totally returned to arable land (i.e. recycled).

Methods:
Skånefrö together with Hotab will be responsible for this action. After all parts in the BIOAGRO chain - pelleting, storage and management and combustion – have been demonstrated and evaluated separately (during tasks 3-4), Skånefrö will focus on demonstrating an effective combination of all parts in a fully functional cycle and system. During the evaluation, Skånefrö will especially look at the economical outcome in comparison to the invested capital but also judge availability and potential service need. The implementation of this Task will be performed through the following phases. 1. Collecting- and handling of raw material. Accumulated in silo warehouse or storage. Drying of raw material when necessary.  2.Theoretical mix of compounds and validation of these formulas qualities. 3. Mixing process. Mix chosen feedstock together and then pelletize this recipe into BIOAGRO pellet. 4. Analysing the pellet quality; thermal value, rate of ashes, sintering temperature, bulk density and contents of mineral such as sulphur, chlorine and nitrogen. 5. Test burning of different recipes in a laboratory and in the Hotab boiler at Skånefrö. 6. Evaluation of combustion qualities and the possibility to ensure supply of raw material.
Targets:
The target is to show that cereal surplus and waste products can be processed into pellets and by burning these. Oil and electricity can be replaced as well as a waste problem is being care off and energy costs are decreased. As such the BIOAGRO plant will be a model for others to build similar plants in Europe. The economical and environmental target for Skånefrö is to replace 150 sqm oil and 160 MWh electricity which today are used yearly in the plant. This will for Skånefrö mean a cost reduction of 100 000 EUR/year and a reduced carbon dioxide discharge of 540 tonnes/year. Ashes from combustion will also be taken care off and fully returned to the agriculture land.
Expected results:
  • Reduction of greenhouse gases (with 540 tonnes/year, i.e. 100 %) compared with today’s heating with oil and electricity.
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  • Reduction of combustible waste from grain production (with 100%) and total waste (with 95%).
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  • Eliminating costs for heating with oil and electricity (with  99 %).
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  • Ash is regained as plant nutrient (100%).
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  • A price stable fuel (+/-5%), i.e. no risk for international price shocks or tax increases as for oil.
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  • Lower work effort than for heating with wood, chips or straw (with 80%).
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  • Less discharge of organic substances (with 20%), sulphur acid (95%) and hydrochloric acid (70%) compared to existing techniques.
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    The BIOAGRO project will offer an innovative method which is transferable to the whole European agriculture and constitute a conclusive breakthrough in finding alternative to fossil energy and with that substantially reduce the discharges of greenhouse gases in Europe. Fully implemented in Europe, the use of BIOAGRO fuel would lead to a reduced discharge of greenhouse gases in Sweden (with 10%) and a yearly reduction of greenhouse gases in Europe (with 2,5% and 67 million tonnes) in case technique will fully penetrate the European agriculture. The objective of the environment for EU is to reach 5% by year 2010. Results will be documented in test reports. The test reports will include a separate section on environmental impact.

    Assumptions and constraints:
    Despite thorough planning in Task 1 surprises might occur that will lead to the need for modifications or redesign of the prototypes, receipts/mixtures and concept. We have taken this under consideration when setting the time-schedule for the BIOAGRO project. In order to demonstrate and obtain acceptance for the innovative method the documentation have to be easy accessible and comprehensive demonstrating that the project results in relation to the tests and that the evaluation methods are relevant, reliable and verifiable. The project management group will ensure that this will be performed,
    Action 2: Evaluation and validation of performance and economic assumptions
    Skånefrö and Hotab will focus on evaluation and validation performance and economic assumptions and calculations based on the practical results.
    Methods:
    Skånefrö together with Hotab will be responsible for this action. All relevant information will be taken into consideration to achieve comprehensible and reliable evaluation and validation results. Results will be documented in test reports. The test reports will include a separate section on environmental impact.
    Target:
    The target is to validate the performance and verify that economical assumptions are correct considering the project results.
    Expected results:
    Verified results confirming the environmental and economical objectives as well as the commercialisation potential and the transferability of the project results.
    Assumptions and constraints:
    There is a risk results will lead to the need for modifications or redesign of the prototypes, receipts/mixtures and concept. We have taken this under consideration when setting the time-schedule for the BIOAGRO project.
    See time schedule »»