Abstract

The primary aim is to develop co-firing technology utilizing processed biomass and natural gas to reduce the carbon dioxide emission from CHP systems. The project will build upon established technology for both biomass pyrolysis and gasification, and extend his knowledge to develop and assess technologies for the co-utilisation with natural gas. The project is primarily aimed at two applications:

• The use of biomass and natural gas in the supplementary firing stages of the heat recovery steam generation sections of mid-sized gas turbine-based systems, for CHP systems.
• The joint utilisation of natural gas and biomass in standard boiler/steam turbine systems but with extensions for NO_x reduction.

The key aspects of this project include the demonstration of fuel flexibility, emissions reductions and a quantification of the environmental and fiscal benefits for the end-user of the developed technology.

Description of the work:

• This gas/biomass project comprises the following tasks:
• Laboratory studies of the co-utilisation of biomass and natural gas
• Development of a pyrolysis oil/natural gas burner
• Development of a gasified biomass/natural gas burner with emphasis on applications to supplementary firing systems.
• Pilot-scale testing of the technology
• Technical, environmental and social assessment of the technology options.

The partners will undertake studies to design, develop, test, scale-up and optimise the technology through variation of the type of processed biomass (wood-derived bio-oil and gasified biomass) and the percentage used in cofiring. Flameless oxidation will be applied to supplementary firing systems and the co-utilisation of natural gas and biomass in NO_x reduction technologies like reburn which could be retro-fit to boiler/CHP plant will also be studied.

Expected Results and Exploitation Plans:

The burner designs produced as deliverables of the research project will be applicable for both supplementary firing systems and for use in standard boilers thus demonstrating the synergy of the approach taken in this proposal.

Improving the cost competitiveness of bioenergy and CHP for commercial and industrial users will contribute towards EU targets to double renewable energy demand in the EU by 2010, with bioenergy growing to supply 8.3% of EU primary energy demand. The future application of BAGIT technology will substantially reduce industrial Greenhouse Gas emissions. The development of a range of commercial energy products based on BAGIT technology will increase EU competitiveness in the renewable energy sector. The development and effective deployment of BAGIT technology into rural processing industries across the EU will bring with it the range of social, economic and environmental benefits that make bioenergy a key element of sustainable development for the EU.

Contacts

Coordinator

• Roger WEBB / ADVANTICA TECHNOLOGIES LTD UNITED KINGDOM

Participant

• Silvio VALENTINI / Ansaldo Ricerche Srl Società per lo Sviluppo di Nuove Tec. / ITALY
• John VOS / BTG Biomass Technology Group BV NETHERLANDS
• Christopher DAY / Biomass Power Plant Ltd UNITED KINGDOM
• Joao Fransisco FERNANDES, / Escola Superior De Tecnologia De Setubal PORTUGAL
• Nelson MARTINS / IRRADIARE Investigaçao e Desenvolvimento em Engenharia Ambiente Lda. / PORTUGAL
• Ingwald OBERNBERGER / Igenieurbuero Bios Obernberger & Narodoslawsky OEG AUSTRIA
• Giorgio PALAZZI / Italian National Agency For New Technology, Energy and Environment / ITALY
• Martin HAMILTON / University of Leeds Dept of Fuel and Energy / UNITED KINGDOM