Detailed studies on biomass gasification in a TGA coupled with advanced gas analysis

Conversion of biomass to a producer gas has many advantages. A gas is easier to handle and transport, it can be cleaned before combustion (i.e. compact cleaning), and it can then be used directly in e.g. engines, gas turbines and fuel cells for electricit y generation. Alternatively, it can be processed to produce fuels (e.g. 2nd generation biodiesel), chemicals (e.g. methanol) and high-value niche products (e.g. special waxes). Compared to direct combustion of biomass in boilers and subsequent electricity generation in the typical steam turbines, the achievable net electric efficiency from the producer gas used in engines and gas turbines is significantly higher than for small to medium size steam turbines of equal power ouput. The theoretical efficiency of a fuel cell is very high compared to the traditional competition. The proposed project includes the use of state of the art experimental set-ups to derive fundamental knowledge of importance for biomass conversion through gasification processes. This w ill be done mainly through two PhD studies, one on gasification fundamentals and the other on additives and gas conditioning. Important tasks will be: - Set-up, testing, refining and verification of a TGA and advanced gas analysis system - Testing of diff erent biomass fuel types as a function of temperature and heating rate - Testing of different oxidants (steam, oxygen and air) for gasification, and reaction rates analysis - Testing of different additives (Ca and Phosphor based) to decrease the formation of harmful trace species (e.g. H2S) causing problems in downstream units (e.g. a fuel cell) - Testing of Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP) for gas conditioning - Analysis of optimum conditions for a hydrogen rich and high quality producer gas production with redu ced secondary producer gas conditioning needs - Scaling effect analysis to assess the effect of increased transport limitations with increasing particle and sample size, including comparison with macro-TGA