Operational strategies to control the gas composition in dual fluidized bed biomass gasifiers
Doktorsavhandling, 2018

Steam gasification of biomass can increase the share of renewable energy and material resources in the energy sector, transportation and different industries. Prior its application, the raw gas produced in biomass gasifiers needs to be cleaned from impurities. In gasifiers operating at mild temperature, such as fluidized bed steam gasifiers, tar is an impurity of major concern due to the operational problems that it can cause. Tar species can condensate at temperatures as high as 300°C, causing the clogging of pipes and coolers, deactivating downstream catalysts, and forcing unplanned shut-downs. Thus, it is necessary to control the tar and gas compositions in gasifiers to ensure the technical reliability of the technology.

This work investigates measures to control biomass conversion in dual fluidized bed (DFB) steam gasifiers and, thereby, contribute to the rational operation and design of these types of units. A parametric experimental investigation of the influences of operating conditions on gas and tar compositions is presented. The examined parameters are: fluidization velocity; steam-to-fuel ratio (S/F); circulation rate of the bed material; temperature; and active bed materials. The bed materials tested include silica sand, olivine, bauxite, and feldspar, as well as the oxygen-carrying materials ilmenite and manganese. The work was carried in the Chalmers 2–4-MWth DFB gasifier using woody biomass as the fuel. The gasification technology applied in this work is similar to that of the existing gasifiers at the Güssing, Senden, Oberwart, and GoBiGas plants.

Within the operating window investigated, optimization of the bed material activity was the main tool for controlling tar conversion, which can be improved using additives. The levels of effectiveness of the in-bed catalysts were linked to the destruction of tar precursors. It is proposed that both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis of tar reactions occur in systems where alkali is expected in the gas phase. With active bed materials, temperature changes in the range of 700°–830°C were found to affect primarily the composition of the tar, and to a lesser extent, the tar yield. Finally, it is shown that a simple gasifier design with on-bed feeding ensures that at least 50% of the volatiles come in contact with the catalytic bed material when the bed is well-fluidized. Extensive experimental results and their implications for the design and operation of a DFB gasifier are discussed throughout this thesis.

segregation

renewable energy

feldspar

olivine

catalyst

ilmenite

operating conditions

tar removal

in situ gas upgrading

bauxite

steam reforming

dual fluidized bed

char gasification

Kollektorn (lektionssal) MC2-huset, Kemivägen 9
Opponent: Dr. Osvalda Senneca, Institute of Combustion Research, Italy

Författare

Teresa Berdugo Vilches

Chalmers, Rymd-, geo- och miljövetenskap, Energiteknik

Conversion of Condensable Hydrocarbons in a Dual Fluidized Bed Biomass Gasifier

Energy & Fuels,; Vol. 29(2015)p. 6465-6475

Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift

Alkali-Feldspar as a Catalyst for Biomass Gasification in a 2-MW Indirect Gasifier

Energy & Fuels,; Vol. 31(2017)p. 1583-1592

Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift

Experience of more than 1000 h of operation with oxygen carriers and solid biomass at large scale

Applied Energy,; Vol. 190(2017)p. 1174-1183

Artikel i vetenskaplig tidskrift

Teresa Berdugo Vilches, Martin Seemann, and Henrik Thunman. Influence of in-bed catalysis by ash-coated olivine on tar formation in steam gasification of biomass. Energy & Fuels Just Accepted Manuscript. DOI: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.8b02153

A transition towards a more sustainable society is required to ensure that both present and future generations can fulfill their needs. To do so, energy and materials should be produced preferably from renewable resources. Sustainably managed biomass and biomass wastes can contribute to increase the share of renewables, for instance by replacing fossil-based fuels by biofuels for the transportation sector. Gasification technology provides a thermochemical route to the production of biofuels and chemicals from any type of available biomass. In a gasification-based process, the performance of the gasifier determines the success of the entire process, as well as the number of subsequent gas cleaning steps required. A good control of the gasifier output is therefore crucial for the reliability of the process.
This thesis focuses on operational strategies to control the composition of the gas generated in fluidized bed gasifiers. A parametric study has been conducted to increase understanding of the relationships between operating conditions and gas quality. This thesis involves a great deal of experimental work carried out in a relatively large scale (2-4 MWth) gasifier, which makes the results directly applicable to gasifiers of commercial size. Special attention is given to the use of catalysts in the gasifier to improve the conversion process, and new insights on the interplay between the catalyst and the biomass are given.

Ämneskategorier

Energiteknik

Kemiska processer

Bioenergi

Styrkeområden

Energi

Infrastruktur

Chalmers kraftcentral

ISBN

978-91-7597-765-2

Doktorsavhandlingar vid Chalmers tekniska högskola. Ny serie: 4446

Utgivare

Chalmers

Kollektorn (lektionssal) MC2-huset, Kemivägen 9

Opponent: Dr. Osvalda Senneca, Institute of Combustion Research, Italy

Mer information

Senast uppdaterat

2018-08-22