Publications Status of Gasification in countries participating in the IEA Bioenergy gasification activity

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March 2001: Compiled by Kees W. Kwant, Novem, Netherlands

This report presents the results and status of the development of gasification systems in the 10 countries that participate in the IEA Bioenergy gasification activity. The report shows good technical progress, but rather slow commercial achievements. A new market area has been recognised in the application of gasifiers for pretreatment of biomass fuels for cofiring in existing power plants. Application of gasifiers in this way could open up the market for the future in applications in Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle systems.

At the end of the 20th Century the development of biomass gasification has seen a revival. The reason for this lies is several circumstances: First of all the World became aware of its dependence of fossil fuels and the climate threat and made a call for Renewable Energies and realised the role that could be applied by biomass in carbon dioxide mitigation.

However, to be effective, the use of biomass should be shifted from its traditional low efficiency applications for heating to high efficient application for combined heat and power production. Gasification of biomass converts a solid renewable fuel to a gas that can be used in a modern conversion device like a gasturbine or gasengine for electricity and heat production. This opens the possibility to move from the traditional, at small scale, low efficient steam cycle to the very efficient gasturbine. Many studies have revealed the advantages of gasification over combustion for power and heat production.

The advantages can be summarised as follows:

• High efficiency for electricity production with a gasturbine or engine, even at a small scale.
• Good perspective for Combined Heat and Power because of the small scale
• Low emissions and cost-effective reduction because of the small gas flows, compared to combustion

The review of what has been achieved in the area of biomass gasification over the past 10 years shows that there is a lack of scientific knowledge of the gasification proces and the gas cleaning. Nevertheless several developments have resulted in succesfull pilot plants and demonstrations that work! However only a very few projects have achieved a commercial status where the technology has a competitive advantage in the market.

Co-firing of fuel gas is on the competitive edge, as proven by several demonstrations, due to the fuel flexibility and the avoidance of emissions to the air and ashes.

On a small scale, fixed bed gasifiers will have the advantage of the high electric efficiency at a small scale and the possibility to use waste heat at the site. Most demonstrations however show practical problems with the system, or the effluents, ashes or waste water.

The IGCC concept is the star of the future.

The report recommends:

• Focus on the development of gasifiers for a) in existing coal fired power plants and b) cofiring in existing natural gas fired plants.
• Seek niche markets for small scale systems, and launch proven reliable systems that are competitive with the existing steam cycle systems
• Establish a good database with the existing gasification knowledge available around the world

The contents are as follows

Index

Abstract

Gasification Survey by Country:

• UK
• Italy
• Norway
• USA
• Canada
• Switzerland
• Netherlands
• Denmark
• Finland
• Sweden

For each country the information is presented covers the following aspects:

• Policy
• Programme
• Institutes
• Industries
• Projects
• Implementation

Annex: List of members of the IEA gasification activity

Contacts

Further Information

• Kees KWANT / SenterNovem NETHERLANDS