Various projects in progress

Torrgas has been selected for various feasibility studies and project development ranging from biohydrogen, bioSNG and biomethanol

Client: Eemsgas (2019-2022)

Country: The Netherlands

The first commercial project for torrefied biomass-to-SNG is being developed by Torrgas from 2015. The project development concerned obtaining the permit, subsidies (Waddenfonds and SDE+), site acquisition, conceptual and basic design for the gasification system (together with technology partners Pörner/DBI and TAF) as well as the overall process, investment cost estimate and business case development. In February 2022 the project was sold to Eemsgas (a partnership of Gasunie and PerpetualNext (press release). Eemsgas is currently detailing the design for the final investment decision expected in Q1 2023. The project aims to produce 12 million cubic meters of bioSNG and 7 kton of biochar per year. 

Client: BrigH2, Hycarb (2022 - ongoing)

Country: The Netherlands

In the Netherlands Torrgas is developing a 50 MWth plant at the Chemelot and a 100 MWth plant in Delfzijl for biomass-to-hydrogen. The project partners are respectively Brightlands (project BrigH2) and NOM (project Hycarb). For both projects a conceptual design study as well as the overall project development is carried out for potential investors/operators together with their partners. Activities include:

• Site acquisition
• Permit application
• Subsidies
• Raw material and product contracting
• Investment estimate
• Business case development

Hycarb is part of a larger development: Sustainable development ChemPort Europe, Delfzijl

BrigH2 is also part of a larger development aiming at a total of 400 MWth installation on Chemelot in the first stage producing 6,500 t/a and after extension 52,000 t/a of bioH2

Client: Arsari (2021)

Country: Indonesia

For the Arsari group Torrgas has carried out a feasibility and conceptual design study for a 100 MWth biomass-to-methanol plant as part of the new capital development Balikpapan (Kalimantan). As part of the rainforest ReBuild project of the rainforest (ReBuild project) in the area, the biomass residue from this project is envisaged to be converted in added value products. The proposed products are biomethanol as shipping fuel and biochar, which can be reused as fertiliser in the rebuild project. The project will produce 70 kton/a of biomethanol and 22 kton/a of biochar.

Client: Gasterra

Country: The Netherlands

Gasterra is interested in the potential of torrefaction and Torrgas gasification system to fulfil the Dutch ambitions for green gas and hydrogen production. The feasibility concerned a technical and financial feasibility on the biomass availability, logistics,, technology and final product quality. The study shows that within the current market conditions (e.g. CO2 prices) hydrogen and SNG can be produced at competitive prices compared to fossil based alternatives. Feedstock considered are forestry waste wood, demolition wood, sieve overflow and verge grass. The overall efficiency from fresh biomass to products equals 60-70% for as well the bioH2 as bioSNG cases with the lower efficiency for verge grass and sieve overflow and the higher efficiencies for woody based biomass. An independent LCA was carried out by Studio Gearup. This study showed that CO2 emission reduction is between 80-120% compared to the fossil alternatives depending on the feedstock and biochar application.

Clients: Gasunie, Gasterra, Eemsgas (2015-2022)

Country: The Netherlands

Torrgas has carried out a numerous tests on her 1 MWth two-stage gasification plant on the location of DNV in Groningen. Several torrefied wood materials have been tested (a.o. waste wood from forestry and parks and demolition wood) on syngas and char yield and quality. In November 2019 a long duration test was carried out to confirm the operability of the process. It was proven that tar levels were continuously below 0.1 mg/Nm³ dry basis, which is far below conventional biomass gasification systems (fluidised bed 6,000-14,000 mg/Nm³, downdraft 400-800 mg/Nm³). The overall efficiency to products syngas, biochar and steam from gas cooling is approximately 80-85%.