NNE5-2000-00124 13 MW CHP Plant Based on Biomass Gasifier with Gas Engines

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Summary Information



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EESD (Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development) : Electricity : Thermochemical Conversion

Proposal No:	NNE5-2000-00124
Date Prepared:	February 2004
Source:	European Bio-Energy Projects (EUR 20808)

Introduction

The main aim of this project is to demonstrate and optimise a novel CHP plant based on biomass gasification on a full scale (13 MW thermal input). In this plant, four biogas-fuelled engines will produce electricity (4 MW_e) from gasified biomass, while the district heat (8 MW_th)) will be produced in various heat exchangers.

Since this is the first time that some of the main plant components will be built and integrated on this scale, one important objective of this project will be the process optimisation and demonstration of such integration. The ultimate goal is to make this technology competitive with power plants based on fossil fuel.

Activities

FLS Miljo is the project coordinator and is responsible for all technical aspects and execution of this project. Lemvig Varmevaerk is the investor, is providing the site for BGGE plant and will be the end-user of this plant. Together with a sub-contractor VTT, Carbona is providing the know-how in biomass gasification and bio-gas clean-up, and will provide analytical services, data analysis and will par ticipate in the plant's optimisation programme. Jenbacher is the internal combustion engines supplier and will perform testing and optimisation activities. EPR will participate in the BGGE plant optimisation and technology dissemination, in particular in the UK.

The major innovative parts of the project relate to the gasification and clean-up of the biogas from mixed wood biofuel, in particular the tars, while the major aim with the gas engines is to increase the power output by up to 30% and demonstrate reliable operation and long life.

The major risks associated with BGGE plant can be summarised as:

• Potential for catalyst deactivation;
• Gasifier integration into process; and
• Performance and life of IC engines.

Progress

All the design and engineering for the BGGE plant has been completed. The new CHP plant will be established as a biomass gasification plant with gas engines. The gasification reactor is a one-stage atmospheric fluid-bed gasifier with air as the gasification media. Biogas produced in the gasifier will be cleaned first in a cyclone with subsequent tar removal in a catalytic cracker and the remaining particulate removal in a bag filter.

Electricity production takes place in four gas engines coupled to generators. District heat is produced in various heat exchangers and gas engines. The BGGE plant is designed to cover (together with the existing biogas engine) 90% of Lemvig total district heat production of ca. 300 TJ/year (2003/04).

The key data for the plant are as follows:

• Biogas CHP plant- 1.9 MW_e og 2.5 MJ/s district heat
• Biomass CHP plant - peak load: 5.7 MW_e og 10.4 MJ/s district heat
• Wood pellets boiler - 2 x 4.7 MJ/s heat
• Oil boiler - 11 + 7 MJ/s heat
• Biogas boiler - 4 +1 MJ/s heat
• Heat accumulation tank - 1,100 m³

Project delay

The Lemvig county authorities had approved the proposal for a BGGE plant and the signing of the contract was expected in January 2001. Unfortunately, there was a change in Danish government with the new one putting forward a completely new policy on renewable energy. This delayed the signing of the contract and eventually Lemvig decided not to build BGGE plant. As a consequence, the rest of the partners have been looking for an alternative site. Skive combine heat and power plant in northern Jutland is a major candidate to demonstrate this technology.

Expected benefits

The direct benefits of the innovative BGGE plant for the EU can be summarised as follows:

• Based on biomass thermal input of 13 MW, the plant will generate 8 MW_th district heat and 4 MW_e electricity, based on CO₂ -neutral green energy.
• The overall efficiency will be 86% while electric efficiency will be 29%.
• An annual output of 50,000 MWh of district heat and 22,000 MWh electricity.
• The plant will gasify 2.8 tonnes/hour of mixed wood biofuel and use biogas in gas engines for electricity production.
• It will reduce CO₂ emissions by 13,000 tonnes per year.
• The plant will provide a major part of the district heating requirements covered by the existing plant.
• It will create a number of new permanent jobs in plant operation and biomass handling.
• It will serve as a reference plant for the dissemination of this novel technology.