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Content archived on 2024-05-14

Combined low-temperature gasification and combustion

Objective




Project Objectives

The aim is to verify - theoretically and on a pilot scale - the function of a novel low-temperature biomass gasification technology and associated combustion system. A 3 - 4 MWTH fuel input system for straw with high inorganic ash content (straw with 4 - 6% ash content) will be designed, built and tested for at least 100 hours based on a combination of laboratory experiments and engineering know-how. Components for a full scale system - 30 - 50 MWTH - will be designed and a systems synthesis for 3 different European countries, including environmental aspects for the emission of solids (ash/particles), liquids (water soluble minerals) and gases (especially NOX), will be prepared.


Technical Approach

The core of the process is a specially designed reactor tube, where compressed - cut - straw during axial transport are subjected to radially introduced gasification mediae (air or mixture of air and flue gases) at an elevated temperature. The ensuing pyrolysis and charring processes are controlled at a temperature level (in the range 400 - 600OC), where chlorine compounds are retained in a solid phase. The pyrolytic gases and the solid phase are subsequently separated (a mixture of approximately 50% gas and 50% char - calorifically - is expected) and the solid phase - after a washing operation (to remove inorganic compounds - 80% removal is foreseen) - is finally burned with the pyrolytic gases in a specially designed combustion system. Therefore, the resulting flue gases after combustion will basically be clean and suitable for heating stand alone power boilers and also for biomass cofiring with fossile fuel in central power plants.

The gasifier and associated feeding system and the combustor will be tested in a pilot plant and software for the simulation of the reactor and burner will be developed. The design of the particle separation system will be based on existing engineering knowhow and experiences and the basic data for the char washing system will be developed in the laboratory.


Expected achievements and exploitation

After completion of the project, it is expected, that the basic information necessary to continue with a full scale demonstration will be available. This could take place in a cooperation with the danish power utilities ELSAM, which were involved in a previous feasibility study concerning this technology, and which will be kept informed on the progress of the current project. The potential for using the technology seems very large, and may be the only possibility of utilizing large amounts of biomass in connection with both central and decentral power production. The industrial partners in the project all have significant positions in the electro-mechanical industry and exploitation of this technology will be fully inside the partners core businesses.

Call for proposal

Data not available

Coordinator

Ansaldo Volund A/S
EU contribution
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Address
2,Centervej
6000 Kolding
Denmark

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Total cost
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Participants (3)