Technology development for integrated SOFC, biomass gassification and high temperature gas cleaning

SOFC in combination with biomass gasification has the potential for high efficiency electricity production from biomass. The biomass gasification process must yield a highest possible hydrogen content in the producer gas. Hence, steam gasification is the ideal gasification process in combination with fuel cells. However, other compounds in the producer gas, such as alkali metals and other trace compounds may potentially be damaging for the SOFC, depending on their levels. Hence, there is a need for labor atory studies and testing of the influence of alkali metals and other trace compounds on the operation of a SOFC, and long term onsite testing of a SOFC stack using producer gas from a steam gasification unit at normal operation. However, gas cleaning is a necessity to remove particles from the producer gas before entering the SOFC. To optimise system efficiency, high temperature gas cleaning is the optimum option, and is a subject of extensive research worldwide. The project combines both novel fundamen tal and applied studies, including onsite testing of a 2-3 kW SOFC stack. As such, the novelty of the project is quite unique, and will contribute to future high efficiency electricity production from biomass.