Torwash

Process
The TORWASH process removes 99 % of salts from wet and saline biomass like reed, grass, leaves and digested manure and increases the caloric value of the biomass. The product of the TORWASH process, a pressed pellet (see picture below) can be used in regular incineration or power plants for energy generation without negative effects.
Essential for the TORWASH process is the treatment of the biomass in presence of water with a higher pressure and temperature. After TORWASH the water can be pressed out of the biomass mechanically, after which the product is suitable for incineration. The biggest gain of TORWASH is that thermal drying of the biomass is not necessary anymore before incineration. With TORWASH wet and fibrous biomass can be processed. Without TORWASH, this biomass can not be mechanically dewatered because the water is chemically and biologically bound in the biomass. Also, the biomass is resilient and can not be pressed.
Another aim of the TORWASH process is to wash out the salts present in the biomass. The reactions during the TORWASH process remove the salts from the biomass, so that they can dissolve in the water. With this salt removal, the biomass becomes suitable for incineration, because corrosion and bed agglomeration caused by high salt content no longer occur during the incineration process.
The Torwash process is proved on a laboratory scale at the Dutch Energie-Onderzoek Centrum Nederland (ECN).The TORIPO project has started in september 2010. Coming 3 years a consortium consisting of ECN, LEAF (Lettinga Associates Foundation), Averinox (separation and filtration systems) and Triqua will develop a pilot installation for the Torwash project. Within the consortium, Triqua will develop a cost-effective and sustainable treatment of the wastewater, which is produced during the TORWASH process.

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