Overall the findings of the project indicate the technologies that exist on a larger scale pose several challenges on a smaller scale. Technical challenges include finding equipment that has a small capacity while still maintaining the efficiencies of a large scale plant. In addition, financial challenges arose from the initial cost analysis. The findings indicate the cost of torrefied biomass is well above the going market price for energy on a BTU/lb basis. In other words, the final product could not compete in todays energy market. The team is looking into more cost effective ways to produce the product as well as calculating a monetary value for the "renewable" aspect of the fuel as opposed to market alternatives such as coal.
