Science Centres: Energy

Biofuel testing at CRL Energy

Combustion testing of potential biofuels

A biofuel boiler all fired up. (Photo: Andrew Campbell, CRL Energy)

CRL Energy’s 50 kW-scale Combustion Test Rig is the only one of its kind in New Zealand. It has proven ideal for testing the performance of a range of solid fuels under conditions typically found in larger scale industrial boilers. We’ve tested everything from wood, coal, and biomass, to sludge, wastes, and even tyres.

To date, almost 200 tests have been performed for a range of clients from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. The test programme and the rig can be tailored to suit individual efficiency and emissions requirements. The rig is often used by those with an established operation to identify the likely effect on efficiencies and emission levels if they were to introduce a new fuel – sometimes a waste product or carbon neutral material – to the mix.

The unit can be fitted with several types of firing system and the combustion performance monitored under closely controlled conditions. We can measure the combustion efficiencies and emission levels of a very wide range of pollutants including CO2, NOx, SOx, particulates, PM10, dioxins, acid gases, volatile and semivolatile organics, toxic trace elements, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Handling properties and ash disposal issues can be addressed.

Floor sweepings to biofuel briquettes

These biofuel briquettes are made out of waste sludge from a meat works. (Photo: Hamish Trolove, CRL Energy)

CRL Energy can transform a useless waste product into valuable biofuel using a heated, pressurised briquetter.

We’ve tested briquettes made from solid feedstocks as diverse as floor sweepings from industrial plants, nut shells, industrial and animal wastes, and fine particulates. We’ve also investigated different binder materials, such as flour, starch, and bentonite (a type of clay), to improve the strength of the briquettes. During a combustion run, we can test not only the briquette’s efficiency and emission performance, but also its ability to withstand the combustor stoker material feed system.