Abstract
Biocarbon production is a thermochemical conversion process, which transfers biomass into solid fuels
characterized with superior handling, grinding and combustion properties. Biocarbon can be potentially utilized
as a high quality fuel in small-scale heating applications, as charcoal, powder, briquettes or pellets. However,
there are only few studies on the use of biocarbon in residential stoves. Charcoal based modern residential
stoves can achieve high thermal efficiency and low emissions. In this study, the main objectives were to
assess the energy efficiency of the whole value chain for utilization of carbonized wood for small-scale
biocarbon pellet based stoves and to evaluate the overall heat production cost of the whole value chain by a
techno-economic approach, under Norwegian conditions. The carbonization temperature did not affect the
stove thermal efficiency significantly. However, at higher carbonization temperatures higher biocarbon pellet
production cost and higher overall heat production cost were obtained when standalone pellet production was
considered. In the case of pellet and district heat coproduction, the pellet production cost was always lower
than the corresponding one without district heat production.
characterized with superior handling, grinding and combustion properties. Biocarbon can be potentially utilized
as a high quality fuel in small-scale heating applications, as charcoal, powder, briquettes or pellets. However,
there are only few studies on the use of biocarbon in residential stoves. Charcoal based modern residential
stoves can achieve high thermal efficiency and low emissions. In this study, the main objectives were to
assess the energy efficiency of the whole value chain for utilization of carbonized wood for small-scale
biocarbon pellet based stoves and to evaluate the overall heat production cost of the whole value chain by a
techno-economic approach, under Norwegian conditions. The carbonization temperature did not affect the
stove thermal efficiency significantly. However, at higher carbonization temperatures higher biocarbon pellet
production cost and higher overall heat production cost were obtained when standalone pellet production was
considered. In the case of pellet and district heat coproduction, the pellet production cost was always lower
than the corresponding one without district heat production.