JOULE JOR3-CT97-0168 Development of novel fixed-bed gasification methods for biomass residues and agrobiofuels

Contacts




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Agricultural Residues : JOULE/THERMIE Programme : Solid Biofuels : Thermochemical Conversion

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	JOR3-CT97-0168
	EC Contribution	406,827 ECU
	Start Date	01/10/1997
	Duration	24 Months

Development of novel fixed-bed gasification methods for biomass residues and agrobiofuels

Objectives

The project concerns three different approaches to achieve reliable operation in fixed-bed gasification of available biomass residues. The first approach is based on pretreatment of fuels so that they can be used in standard downdraft gasifiers. The second approach is based on catalytic cleaning of the product gas of a commercially available updraft fixed-bed gasifier. The third and most challenging approach of the project is based on the development of a new type of gasifier, which is not dependent on the natural descending fuel flow caused by gravity.

Technical Approach

Downdraft gasification tests will be carried out in Italy using a Martezo 100 kVA gasifier/engine/generator facility that was constructed in 1996 in a previous project. Test runs, using a range of Italian biofuels, will be carried out in order to:

• create a clear criteria for fuel selection
• collect reliable performance data with suitable fuels
• broaden the feedstock basis of this standard downdraft gasifier by using mixed fuels and additives to avoid ash sintering.

Gasification tests, with an Italian biomass fuel, will also be carried out in a commercial Bioneer updraft gasifier located in Finland. This gasifier has a nominal output of 5 MW_th and is connected to a boiler producing district heat. The third technical aspect of the project will be the design, construction and testing of a 200 kW_th process development unit (PDU) for a new type of gasifier that is based on forced fuel flow. It will also be suited to low bulk density fibrous biomass fuels, which cannot be used in standard fixed-bed gasifiers without expensive fuel pretreatment. The PDU will be connected to a secondary catalytic gas cleaning device, which makes it possible to produce tar-free product gas suitable to engine use.

Expected Results and Exploitation

The development of a new fixed-bed gasifier makes it possible to effectively utilise various biomass residues and energy crops which cannot be used in the presently available fixed-bed gasifiers without expensive pretreatment. Examples of these low-bulk density feedstocks include forest residue chips, sawdust and crushed bark. Systematic tests and high-quality measurements carried out using the Bioneer updraft gasifier and a standard downdraft gasifier with a range of potential fuels will establish the feedstock quality requirements of these commercially available gasifiers. The development of an effective catalytic gas cleaning method for the novel fixed-bed gasifier and for the standard updraft gasifier will make small-scale gasifier/engine power plant available also for use with biomass fuels other than dried, low-ash wood lumps that are required to be used in present downdraft gasifiers. The expected maximum tar content at the exit of the tar removal system is 50 mg/m³n.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Esa KURKELA / Technical Research Centre of Finland VTT Processes / FINLAND

Participant

• Francesco BARBAGLI / Antiche Terre ITALY
• Ilkka HAAVISTO / Condens Oy FINLAND
• Mr Giovanni Berna / Finesport Engineering ITALY