BioMatNet Item: JOULE JOR3-CT95-0037 - Production of hydrogen rich gas by biomass gasification: application to small scale, fuel cell electricity generation in rural areas

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JOULE JOR3-CT95-0037
Production of hydrogen rich gas by biomass gasification: application to small scale, fuel cell electricity generation in rural areas

Contacts

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JOULE/THERMIE Programme : Solid Biofuels : Thermochemical Conversion

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	JOR3-CT95-0037
	EC Contribution	303,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/12/1995
	Duration	24 Months

Production of hydrogen rich gas by biomass gasification: application to small scale, fuel cell electricity generation in rural areas

Objectives

This is a feasibility study of the coupling of a biomass gasification process, converting the energy of biomass directly to hydrogen, with fuel cells for electricity and heat generation. Phosphoric acid fuel cells (AFC) are considered, in small modular units of a few MW_e capacity as they represent an industrial reality, readily available in appropriate commercial size for field operation. The proposed coupling of biomass gasification and fuel cell is characterised by high energy conversion efficiency and very low environmental impact: this provides for easy integration into small-to-medium size agricultural concerns. Electricity could be either sold or consumed internally; heat would be used for heating or other internal processes. The activities are directed towards the study of such systems, both technically and in terms of the technical and economic constraints on siting in the rural context.

Technical Approach

The research study will start with an exchange of information concerning the characteristics and requirements of the various sub-processes (fluidised bed and entrained bed gasification, phosphoric acid fuel cell electricity generation). This will be followed by laboratory investigations in well-defined key areas (biomass pretreatment, catalytic conversion, and cleaning of the gasification product) and to conceptual design of the integrated systems and estimation of system investment costs. A. Biotec is investigating the most important aspects related to general plant siting and to the biomass pretreatments that are needed to transform the harvested crops into suitable feedstock for gasification plant. University College London and Noell Energy are performing the process design of the fluidised bed system and the entrained flow gasification process respectively. The Universities of l'Aquila and Strasbourg are operating on the catalytic aspects of the system (residual tar, methane and CO conversion, catalytic combustion of fuel cell anode exhaust to provide heat for the fluidised bed) both at a conceptual level and with laboratory activities.

Expected Results

The cost of energy generated from biomass is generally considered too high with the present technology, mainly due to the investment cost. The application of a PAFC hydrogen module to power generation from biomass is focused on expanding the market potential, thereby drastically reducing unit costs: low environmental impact and easy operation would rapidly make the present system very attractive for small agricultural industries. thus opening the market to the relatively large volumes necessary for the reduction of production costs. All the Participants see the programme as a means of implementing EC common agricultural policy with regard to the rational exploitation of non-food agricultural applications and clean energy production.

Contacts

Coordinator

Pier Ugo FOSCOLO / Universita degli Studi dell'Aquila Dipartimento di Chimica / ITALY

Participant