Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council

Project Description

Canadian Bioenergy Corporation is collaborating with a group of companies including Manitoba Hydro and a consortium of agricultural feedstock suppliers to determine feasibility for and demonstration of a pilot scale biocarbon plant in Manitoba. If the demonstration project proves the feasibility of this innovative, renewable fuel, then the key objective will be to implement the technology in multiple locations across Manitoba. One of the key feedstocks for manufacturing biocarbon will be agricultural residues which include oat hulls, flax shives and wheat straw. This project encompasses the concept shaping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies required to determine whether the project can move towards implementation and commercialization as well as the pilot plant demonstration which will provide elements required to assess feasibility of implementation.

Project Objectives

To conduct a pilot scale demonstration and assess the feasibility of an integrated collection, drying, torrefaction and densification process to produce large quantities of an energy dense, solid biofuel (biocarbon) utilizing agricultural residues.

General Information

Performance Story

The purpose of this study was to gather and consolidate information pertaining to the successful implementation of small scale integrated Biomass Carbonization-CHP (BC-CHP) systems across Manitoba and Western Canada. This BC-CHP system would create multiple product streams; biocarbon, pyrolysis oil and flue gas, which would be converted into heat and power using a variety of locally available waste feedstocks including agricultural wastes such as oat hulls, flax shives and sunflower seed hulls; construction waste diverted from the Brady Landfill; and forestry residue such as wood chips.

The applicants conducted a study looking at the pilot plant feasibility, a biocarbon/heat market study and the availability, quality and price of feedstock. The study found that the markets in Manitoba and Western Canada have not developed to the level necessary to facilitate the development of advanced solid biofuel projects in Manitoba. The price of feedstock and technology are too high while the price of biocarbon as indexed to published prices.

Based on these findings, the applicant decided not to advance the Biocarbon Demonstration Project. The conclusion was tested with project developers in other western provinces and they concurred with the project’s findings on feedstock costs and markets for products.