Controlled cooling of the producer gas from a steam-blown gasifier is challenging because of the impending risk of tar fouling on the heat exchanger surfaces. A scrubber is typically used today to avoid this, which causes energy losses as the latent heat only becomes available in the solvent at a low temperature. A more resource and energy efficient process would be possible if the producer gas could be cooled down in a heat exchanger that could resist tar adsorption.
In this project, we will coat a heat exchanger with a strongly hydrophilic surface, so that it is well wetted by the condensing steam. As the tars are nonpolar, they will not dissolve in the water film and a self-cleaning producer gas condenser has been realized. Experiments and simulations will be combined to investigate the function closer and optimize the design. Simulations of this kind has a huge potential in the future development of energy efficient processes based on nano-engineered surfaces.
Associate Professor at Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Fluid Dynamics
Researcher at Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Fluid Dynamics
Professor at Chalmers, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences, Fluid Dynamics
Associate Professor at Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology
Full Professor at Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Energy Technology
Lund, Sweden
Göteborg, Sweden
Funding Chalmers participation during 2017–2018
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