(615b) Small-Scale Biomass Gasification - Research on Entrained Flow and Fluidized Bed Gasification Technology

The increasing demand for safe, sustainable and affordable renewable energy today promotes development of small-scale biomass gasification systems for power and fuel production in Europe. Different technologies, process designs and conversion concepts are developed focusing on entrained flow and fluidized bed gasification technology. Comparing the technologies concerning efficiencies, economics, technological readiness and alternative process chains, research and development needs are carved out and translated to current research projects at the TUM.

At the Institute for Energy Systems, we conduct gasification experiments on entrained flow and fluidized bed biomass gasification. The test rigs for bubbling fluidized bed gasification and entrained flow gasification can handle various biogenic feedstock with a thermal input up to 100 kW_th and temperatures up to 1600°C. Furthermore, elaborate fuel and gas analysis measures ensure the evaluation of the gasification processes at a scientific level. Additional process simulation studies and CFD modelling enable process evaluation and include pre-treatment and product gas upgrading options.

Specific areas of research are hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of biomass as pre-treatment technology to enable entrained flow gasification of diverse biogenic feedstock. Hot gas cleaning technology for tar and hydrocarbon reforming as well as adsorptive trace elements removal are tested in long-term experiments conducting parameter studies downstream of the fluidized bed gasification. Product gas methanation as example for synthesis gas utilization is investigated concerning catalyst deactivation and poisoning as well as concerning the complex heat removal from the exothermic reaction.