Using BPM to improve sustainability in biomass generation

Abstract

Biomass represents approximately 10% of the energy sources in the world. The most common use of biomass for energy is direct combustion, gasification, carbonization and pyrolysis. In this perspective, torrefaction emerges as a thermal biomass pre-treatment method that has an ability to reduce the major limitations of biomass, such as heterogeneity and lower energy density. However, one of the outputs from the torrefaction process is a pyrolysis condensate (tar). Tar is brown or black liquid composed of hydrocarbons which can cause clogging and fouling of pipes, heat exchangers or particulate filters. This paper provides a study performed in a biomass power generation company that was producing an excess of tar. In order to provide a solution to the excess tar generated, a framework to implement sustainability business processes using the Business Process Management (BPM) approach was used. The study found two solutions for the issue (short- term and long-term scenarios) using tools to improve the process management by focusing on sustainability.