BioMatNet Item: JOULE JOR3-CT97-0196 - Hydrogen-rich gas from biomass steam gasification

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JOULE JOR3-CT97-0196
Hydrogen-rich gas from biomass steam gasification

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JOULE/THERMIE Programme : Solid Biofuels : Thermochemical Conversion

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	JOR3-CT97-0196
	EC Contribution	1,051,000 ECU
	Start Date	01/03/1998
	Duration	24 Months

Hydrogen-rich gas from biomass steam gasification

Objectives

The objective of the project is to develop a fluidised bed gasification process for the production of a hydrogen rich gas from biomass. The gasification process is based an a dual bed configuration with a gasification and a combustion zone. In order to achieve the necessary high hydrogen yield, steam has been chosen as the gasification agent and suitable catalysts will be included in the bed inventory. To demonstrate one powerful application of the product gas, electric energy production in a fuel cell is used.

Technical Approach

The project starts from the results of the feasibility study that has been carried out under a previous contract ( JOR3-CT95-0037) aimed at clarifying the possibility of coupling a fluidised bed gasification system with a phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC). The principle of bed inventory circulation between the gasifying and oxidising zone, which on the base of the feasibility study has been recognised as the most attractive option, will be practically implemented. The objectives necessitate the construction of an integrated pilot plant, together with an ancillary work programme focused on optimisation of the design and performance . The pilot plant consists of a dual fluidised bed gasifier (500 kW_th), the gas cleaning equipment, a water shift reactor system, and the fuel cell. The ancillary programmes will precede the plant construction phase and then throughout the operation include the evaluation of the results as well as additional fundamental research into the fluid mechanics of the dual fluidised bed system and the catalyst development, characterisation, and optimisation.

Expected Results

The main achievements expected are:

development of a dual fluidised bed system configuration for the production of an hydrogen-rich product gas from biomass
development of an catalyst suitable as bed material for the dual bed gasifier which increases the hydrogen content and decreases the tar content in the product gas significantly
demonstration of the suitability of the gas for use in a PAFC

Contacts

Coordinator

Hermann HOFBAUER / Technische Universitat Wien Institut fur Verfahrenstechnik / AUSTRIA

Participant