Explore Industry Innovations from our cutting-edge Education and Industry Partners

UPM, headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, operates 59 production units in 15 countries worldwide, including 19 paper mills located in Austria, China, Finland, France, Germany, the UK and USA. UPM has now given a new word and definition for their thinking: Biofore. Biofore stands for the integration of bio and forest industries. Bioeconomy, biodiesel, bioethanol, biochemicals – the word “bio” is present in almost every new development initiative taking place in UPM.

UPM operations are based on utilizing wood-based biomass. Moreover, they respect biodiversity in their wood procurement. Bio communicates the future of UPM. Fore stands for the forest and being in the forefront. Biofore combines their heritage with the future. UPM is determined to be the leader in the new Biofore segment. UPM – The Biofore Company.

 



Auburn University: Biomass Gasification – Technology for Renewable Energy
New and exciting technologies are being developed for the production of renewable energy based on biomass gasification. The video below demonstrates a mobile gasification and power generation laboratory designed to gasify biomass and generate electrical power using on-site biomass residues. The unit, designed and constructed by Community Power Corporation, of Littleton, Colorado, with specifications from faculty at Auburn University, is being utilized as a real-world classroom. Highly-skilled technicians will be in demand as Pulp and Paper companies integrate such technologies into their operations.

The gasifier, which operates at atmospheric pressure, is a downdraft type reactor. The gasification process operates at temperatures up to 950°c using air oxidant. Biomass is fed in from the top of the gasifier while air is introduced through multiple air injection ports. Producer gas, which consists of about 20% hydrogen and 20% carbon monoxide, is drawn downward through the bed of char by negative pressure created by a roots blower located at the end of the producer gas train. The producer gas is a flammable gas that can be used as a fuel for an internal combustion engine which drives an electrical generator.

Click play to see this exciting video!