Periodic Reporting for period 1 - Micro-Bio-CHP (Development of a novel highly efficient energy supply system for energy autonomous multi-family buildings based on biomass gasification coupled with an SOFC and a PV system)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-10-01 bis 2024-03-31
Micro-BIO-CHP aims at the development of an innovative RES-based system for heat and electricity supply in order to achieve an almost energy autonomous multi-family building with regard to heating and electricity consumption as well as electro-mobility. This shall be achieved by integrating a novel highly efficient biomass micro-CHP technology, a state-of-the-art PV system and appropriate innovative energy storage solutions. The development of the novel biomass micro-CHP system thereby represents the core item of the overall approach. It is based on an updraft gasifier operated with wood pellets, a new gas cleaning system and a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). This system shall be economically highly attractive for future users and it shall also distinguish itself by virtually zero emissions of CO, OGC and dust as well as 55% to 65% reduced NOx emissions compared to other biomass CHP technologies. Consequently, it shall increase the penetration of RES on the multi-family house level and has the potential to significantly contribute to reaching the EU climate and clean air goals.
The key innovations of the project are related to the novel micro-scale biomass CHP system. They comprise a flexible partitioning of product gas supplied to the SOFC and to a gas burner in order to cover the overall heat demand and to maximise SOFC operation at the same time, a novel combined thermal and catalytic tar reformer, new highly efficient and durable stack units and a novel compact SOFC system with integrated HCl and H2S removal reactor. Based on a 2.5 kWel SOFC with an electric efficiency of 44%, which is flexibly coupled with the 15 kW gasifier, overall efficiencies of more than 90% shall be achieved. A TRL of 5 shall be reached at the end of the project.
The methodology applied to reach these goals relies on technology development tasks which are based on process simulations, CFD aided design of the single units, test plant construction as well as the performance and evaluation of test runs at this test plant which shall comprise the whole biomass CHP system. A technology assessment part covering risk, techno-economic, environmental and overall impact assessments shall accompany technology development in order finally achieve a technically optimized, environmentally sound and economically competitive technology.
The key innovations of the project are related to the novel micro-scale biomass CHP system. They comprise a flexible partitioning of product gas supplied to the SOFC and to a gas burner in order to cover the overall heat demand and to maximise SOFC operation at the same time, a novel combined thermal and catalytic tar reformer, new highly efficient and durable stack units and a novel compact SOFC system with integrated HCl and H2S removal reactor. Based on a 2.5 kWel SOFC with an electric efficiency of 44%, which is flexibly coupled with the 15 kW gasifier, overall efficiencies of more than 90% shall be achieved. A TRL of 5 shall be reached at the end of the project.
The methodology applied to reach these goals relies on technology development tasks which are based on process simulations, CFD aided design of the single units, test plant construction as well as the performance and evaluation of test runs at this test plant which shall comprise the whole biomass CHP system. A technology assessment part covering risk, techno-economic, environmental and overall impact assessments shall accompany technology development in order finally achieve a technically optimized, environmentally sound and economically competitive technology.
During the first 18 months of the 3.5-years project, the work focused on the development of the single plant components and the design and manufacturing of a testing plant of the Micro-Bio-CHP technology.
As an initial task the basic system design for the new technology has been defined. In general, the biomass micro-scale CHP system consists of two modules, the biomass conversion module (BCM) containing the gasifier, the gas burner, the product gas extraction system with the thermal and the catalytic tar reforming section, a high-temperature particle filter and heat recovery units as well as the SOFC module, containing the HCl/H2S removal reactor, the stack module and all other balance of plant units needed such as heat exchangers and a catalytic off-gas afterburner.
Based on this basic concept, an already existing fixed-bed updraft gasifier technology has been appropriately scaled, adapted and further developed for integration into the BCM. The gas burner and the product gas extraction system with integrated thermal and catalytic tar reforming have been developed and also the development of a suitable tar reforming catalyst was successfully performed. The functionality of these components could already be proven within pre-tests with the first BCM. Moreover, a high-temperature particle filter for soot particle removal from the extracted product gas has been developed, manufactured and successfully tested.
Regarding SOFC module development, test runs with a single stack to investigate its endurance as well as the influence of contaminants such as benzene on stack performance have been performed. Moreover, the stack module for the testing plant has been developed, and in the meantime has successfully passed commissioning tests. Also the SOFC module could be successfully developed.
In addition to R&D on the main plant components also the overall control system has been developed and implemented. At the beginning of the second reporting period, the assembly of the testing plant shall be finalised and test runs with this plant shall be started.
Besides these technical tasks, a focus was put on economic and environmental issues. Preliminary techno-economic analyses have been performed in order to check the economic viability of the new technology and to define cost targets for the single plant components. Moreover, work on preliminary environmental, economic and societal assessments has been started. In addition, a first stage risk assessment has been made.
As an initial task the basic system design for the new technology has been defined. In general, the biomass micro-scale CHP system consists of two modules, the biomass conversion module (BCM) containing the gasifier, the gas burner, the product gas extraction system with the thermal and the catalytic tar reforming section, a high-temperature particle filter and heat recovery units as well as the SOFC module, containing the HCl/H2S removal reactor, the stack module and all other balance of plant units needed such as heat exchangers and a catalytic off-gas afterburner.
Based on this basic concept, an already existing fixed-bed updraft gasifier technology has been appropriately scaled, adapted and further developed for integration into the BCM. The gas burner and the product gas extraction system with integrated thermal and catalytic tar reforming have been developed and also the development of a suitable tar reforming catalyst was successfully performed. The functionality of these components could already be proven within pre-tests with the first BCM. Moreover, a high-temperature particle filter for soot particle removal from the extracted product gas has been developed, manufactured and successfully tested.
Regarding SOFC module development, test runs with a single stack to investigate its endurance as well as the influence of contaminants such as benzene on stack performance have been performed. Moreover, the stack module for the testing plant has been developed, and in the meantime has successfully passed commissioning tests. Also the SOFC module could be successfully developed.
In addition to R&D on the main plant components also the overall control system has been developed and implemented. At the beginning of the second reporting period, the assembly of the testing plant shall be finalised and test runs with this plant shall be started.
Besides these technical tasks, a focus was put on economic and environmental issues. Preliminary techno-economic analyses have been performed in order to check the economic viability of the new technology and to define cost targets for the single plant components. Moreover, work on preliminary environmental, economic and societal assessments has been started. In addition, a first stage risk assessment has been made.
With its ambitious approach the project aims at providing a highly efficient micro-scale biomass CHP system which operates at almost zero CO and PM emissions as well as significantly reduced NOx emissions compared to other small-scale biomass CHP system. In combination with a PV system the new technology shall allow for the creation of an energy autonomous multi-family building. Therefore, a high replication potential within the EU is given.