Equipment for optimising biomass gasification
Gasification processes, which usually occur at high temperatures and pressures, involve different treatment processes for different kinds of biomass or organic waste. This warrants the need for equipment to aid in the design, optimisation and control of these processes. The ‘Universal gasification process analyser for bio mass and organic waste treatment’ (GASPRO-BIO-WASTE) project was hence established. The project consortium consisted of several small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with expertise in the development, production and selling of measuring technology, and in biomass conversion. Three research and technological development (RTD) partners contributed further expertise, capacity and instrumentation. A range of in situ high-temperature concentration sensors able to measure various properties of the produced biogases, including thermal conductivity and heat capacity, was developed. A high-temperature sensor calibration unit (HT–SCU) also functions as a calibrator for the sensors over a wide temperature range. The sensors form part of the universal laboratory-scale gasification process analyser (GPA), along with a gravimetric analyser and a gas refinery unit. The gravimetric analyser can determine the time-dependent reaction rates of gasification processes under process-like conditions. The refinery unit tests different kinds of gas treatments for their ability to reduce or remove dangerous components from the gas before entering the power generator. Measurement data, generated during and after the project, is useful for optimisation purposes. These optimised gasification processes are set to provide environmentally friendly power and heat generation processes, and stable, renewable energy.
