Pilot Gasifier for GoBiGas and Thermo Chemical …h24-files.s3.amazonaws.com/8721/8814-R8D4k.pdf · Chalmers University of Technology Henrik Thunman Division of Energy Technology

Chalmers University of Technology

Henrik Thunman Division of Energy Technology

Pilot Gasifier for GoBiGas and Thermo Chemical Biomass

ConversionHenrik Thunman

Division of Energy TechnologyChalmers University of Technology



The GoBiGas Project

• Phase 1, 2012 Biomass to SNG via Gasification Plant size 20 MW (~160 GWh) SNG, > 90 % overall thermal efficiency (SNG + district heating)

• Phase 2, 2015 Plant size 80 MW (~640 GWh) SNG, > 90 % (SNG + Electricity + District Heating)



Chalmers Pilot Gasifier

• Provide a platform for advanced research in commercial scale

• Education of personnel

• Demonstration of an Opportunity to Gasify Biomass in Existing Energy Infrastructure



Scope of Chalmers Pilot Gasifier

Biomass Clean Nitrogen Free Synthesis Gas



Conversion Stages of Solid Biomass



Indirect Gasification

Combustion Gasification

Devolatilization

Drying

Fuel

Dry N2 freeproduct gas

Heat

Flue gas Tchimny>Tmin

Char

Tquench >

Fluidized Bed

Air

QStea

mQCH

QC

Steam

QGH

QGDrying

Steam QGH+Q

Steam

Qeva

Waste water (liq), Xw

Evaporated and Pre-heating ofwaste waterProduct

gas

QG



Energy Balance Indirect Gasification Q

G

Combustion Gasification

Devolatilization

Drying

Heat

QG

QG

Char

QC

QC

Qfuel,dri

xQGL

DryingQGH+Q

Qfuel

Qfuel,d

Xw=0.1

Steam

Air pre-heatedto 53 % of



0,0

0,5

1,0

CH4

CO2

CO

H2

H2O

[°C]

[kmol]

Temperature [°C]

Equ

ilibriu

m c

ompo

sitio

n

Gasification750-950°C

Methanation280-450°C

Gas cleaning

1 kmol Wood (CH1.5O0.6)

Methane in Synthesis Gas



[°C]

1000

800

600

400

200

0

Gasification gas cleaning methane synthesis gas upgrading

High temperature TAR reforming

Scrubbing

HeatLosses

CnHm + H2O nCO + (1+m/2)H2 endoth.

H2O + CO H2 + CO2 exoth.CO + 3H2 CH4 + H2O exoth.

SNG Process and Tar Reforming

Tar + yH2 CnHm + H2O



Challenges for SNG Production via Gasification

1. Demonstrate the commercial feasibility of SNG production

3. Develop efficient solutions for gas cleaning, above all for tars and sulphur

5. Demonstrate various opportunities to convert biomass in a gasifier

7. Demonstrate how to up or down scale key components to required sizes

9. Evaluate and give recommendation on materials for the various reactors in the system. Especially find applicable materials for heat transfer surfaces.



Research Activity at ChalmersThe Pathways Project

The development of the stationary energy system in Europe and international fuel markets

Process design

Demonstration and analysis of technologies

Gasification and CombustionChalmers Power Station

Material

Tar analysis

Scaling

Fuel conversion



Concept for Chalmers Pilot GasifierCirculating fluidized bed (CFB)

Heat, Electricity, Steam

Fuel, e.g. Biomass or Coal H

ot B

ed

Mat

eria

l

AirBefore

ReconstructionCirculating bedBubbling beds


Hot

Bed

M

ater

ial

Air

Fuel

Steam

Combustible Gas

After Reconstruction

Fuel, e.g. Biomass or Coal



Chalmers Pilot Gasifier

Combustible Gas

Hot Bedmaterial

Steam, Flue Gas

or Air


Fuel, e.g. biomass or coal

Varm

t bä

ddm

ater

ial

Air

Flue Gas

Fuel

Steam, Flue Gas

or Air

Nitrogen Raw Gas

Chalmers 12 MW CFB

Boiler





Specification of Chalmers GasifierVariation possibilities

• Fuel load 0 – 4 MW (0 - 1 ton/h) – (tested: 0-2.3 MW)

• Optional fluidization media- Steam- Flue gases- Air (not yet tested)

• Temperature in Gasifier 550-950 C (tested 725 - 860 C)

• Residence time- Adjustable solid flux - Adjustable bed height (Not yet applied)

• Fuel- Dry pellets (tested: Wood and Bark)- Wet biomass (tested: Wood chips)

• Bed material (tested: silica sand)

Measurements

• Product gas composition

• Solid flux

• Fuel feed

• Temperatures

• Pressures

• In plant gas and bed sampling

• Extraction of gas slip flow



Dry Gas Composition

Heating Value (Calc. Dry Gas )

13.7 MJ/nm3 or

14.1 MJ/kg



Conclusions• Chalmers pilot gasifier has shown its applicability to perform

advanced research in MW scale for indirect gasification of biomass

• A strategic work to provide a new generation of researchers and engineers for the realization of the foreseen large scale implementation of biogas production via gasification are at present ongoing at Chalmers.

• The possibility to integrate an indirect gasifier on an existing boiler has been successfully demonstrated. An option that provides a cost effective short cut for the implementation of the gasification technology.

Documents

Pilot Gasifier for GoBiGas and Thermo Chemical …h24-files.s3.amazonaws.com/8721/8814-R8D4k.pdf · Chalmers University of Technology Henrik Thunman Division of Energy Technology