NRRI lab moves solid biofuel toward commercialization

In Minnesota, the Natural Resources Research Institute is helping a new start-up in John Day, Oregon, open a new market for the biomass by developing a coal alternative for energy production. The goal of Restoration Fuels is to convert trees thinned from the Malheur National Forest into a compressed renewable fuel that has energy content similar to Powder River Basin coal while reducing pollutants. Producing a high value product from forest waste makes the effort to harvest the wood more profitable and appealing. The key to moving this forward is NRRI’s complex roasting capability with a rotary torrefaction kiln system.

“Like many states, Oregon is looking to green-up their fuels to reduce carbon emissions,” said NRRI’s Kevin Kangas. “And with the downturn in the paper and lumber industries over the last few decades, forests just aren’t being managed like they once were. A new forest products industry could help.”