PROJECTS

Starting date of project:

Technical supporting in the developments of a hybrid pilot prototype based on fluidized bed biomass gasification and solar energy (SunBiomass)

Financing: Trivinco Internacional
Duration: 2013.

Summary:
AICIA made assistance for setting and redesign of a biomass gasification system located in Los Angeles (Chile). An analysis of the project and the simulation of the gasifier were made, to estimate the gas composition, heating value and efficiency of the process under different operation conditions. Setting-up and process characterization (gas and tar measure, etc) were conducted during the visit to the pilot plant in Chile. The project finalized with proposal and recommendations for scaling-up and commercialization of the technology.

Oxyfuel conversion in fluidised bed: study of char conversion in coal oxyboilers and biomass oxygasifiers for the design and optimisation of oxyconversors of second generation in CO2 CCS plants

Financing: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España
Duration: 2012-15.

Summary:
The purpose of this work is to study conversion of char particles at high concentration of oxygen in a fluidised bed in order to contribute to the knowledge needed to develop new generations of boilers for oxy-fuel combustion of coal as well as integrated gasifiers for biomass, both based on fluidised bed technology and aiming at reduction of the emission of CO2 to the atmosphere. The following is aimed at: (i) determining the consequences of feeding oxygen of high concentration to a coal-fired fluidised-bed boiler, especially the temperature reached by the char particles under these circumstances; (ii) understanding the form of conversion of char in a fluidised bed oxi-gasifier for biomass (a gasifier fed with oxygen and with the CO2-rich off-gas from an oxyfuel boiler). The objective is to identify the differences between the mode of conversion of char in this situation, compared with conventional modes of operation. This knowledge should serve as a basis for the design of future oxi-gasifiers of biomass integrated into CO2 combustion plants (that is, oxy-gasifiers of a second generation).

Conceptual analysis of hybrid renewable systems based on biomass and solar energy

Financing: CTAER
Duration: 2012-14.

Summary:
The present work is the first phase of a project with the overall objective of creating the methodology and infrastructure necessary for the demonstration of hybrid renewable energy technologies using solar and biomass. In the present phase different configurations to produce heat and power from solar and biomass energy were analyzed. Various technologies based on solar energy of high concentration are analyzed together with various supporting energy systems based on biomass. For the latter two main options were considered: biomass boiler and gas boiler burning the gas produced in a biomass gasifiers. To characterize the gas from the biomass gasifier (the most uncertain technology to be developed within this project) a few tasks have been conducted: (i) analysis of various biomasses was made in the laboratory; olive pruning was selected as the most promising biomass to be used in Andalucía. (ii) tests for the characterization of olive pruning were conducted in a bench scale fluidized bed; (iii) development of a model for the simulation of a fluidized bed gasifier processing olive pruning.

Gasification of plastic wastes

Financing: Total Petrochemical
Duration: 2011

Summary:
The main objective of the project was to acquire the know-how to assess the feasibility of SRF (solid recovery fuels based on plastic wastes from different origins) gasification for producing a gas for synthesis of bioethanol by fermentation. The feasibility of generation of a gas for CHP and to burn in boilers was also analyzed. The technologies considered for the assessment included those currently available in the market as well as those envisioned to be available in a short or medium term. The work was made in three stages: (i) characterization of various plastic residues; (ii) Selection of gasification technologies; (iii) Techno-economical simulation of alternatives to identify the best scenarios for producing 200,000 Tn/yr of ethanol from mixtures of biomass and plastic residues.

Sustainable Biorefineries (BIOSOS)

Financing: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación de España, Abengoa Bioenergía
Duration: 2010 - 2012

Summary:
In this project, led by Abengoa Bioenergía, the Bioenergy Group has two distinct research areas. The first focuses on the fine-tuning of a gasification technology suitable for alternative biomass fuels which are particularly difficult to process with the aim of producing a synthesis gas for the production of biofuels or other chemical products. The other area continues the study of ethanol production, but this time by means of alternative routes, such as the hydrocarbonization of DME, the hydrogenation of acetic acid, as well as the fermentation of synthesis gas. In the field of process analysis, the study of the production of other biofuels and/or bioproducts such as methanol, DME, SNG, Diesel-FT, as well as bio-olefins and biogasoline, by means of MTO and MTG routes, respectively, has been widened.

Design of a fluid-bed gasifier to operate with steam and oxygen (GASCEN)

Financing/contracting: Centro de Energías Renovables de España (CENER)
Duration: 2010 - 2011

Summary:
A demonstration scale fluidized-bed biomass gasification system was designed to function with oxygen and steam (2Mwth based on the LHV of biomass). The gasifier will be installed on a platform which will be constructed in CENER (Navarra) for the study and demonstration of various routes in the production of biofuel synthesis from biomass. The construction of the installation will be completed in June, 2011. In later phases, a gas cleaning system for catalytic synthesis will be constructed.

Development of biomass gasification technology based on a 3-stage flexible gasifier (FLETGAS)

Financing: Junta de Andalucía
Duration: 2009 - 2011

Summary:
The aim of the project consists of developing a gasification system to produce electricity from biomass and wastes, allowing to overcome the two main barriers which fluidized-bed biomass gasifiers currently present: the low conversion of carbon (due to the incomplete conversion of char) and the high tar content of the gas. The new gasification process is based on a reaction system in three main stages: (1) devolatilization and mild partial oxidation in a first fluidized bed, (2) non-catalytic reforming of the gas and (3) filtration of the gas in a moving bed where heterogeneous gasification of the char coming from the first stage is virtually converted. During the char conversion is this third stage the bed material reform the gas providing effective catalyst surface for tar reaction. This system generates a fuel gas fitting the required specifications of a combustion engine with minimum downstream gas cleaning (simple water scrubbing).
The proposal consists of the design and construction of a biomass/waste gasification pilot plant of 15 kg/h. With experience acquired in the operation of the plant, a simulation model will be developed enabling to scale up and optimize the process for other biomasses and wastes.

Download FLETGAS summary

Study of the gasification process with oxygen and carbon dioxide for the integration of a fluidized-bed biomass gasifier connected to an oxycombustion boiler. Basic engineering design of the gasifier (DOTGE)

Financing Organization: Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, INERCO
Duration: 2009 - 2011

Summary:
The aim of this Project is to design a fluidized-bed gasification system which can operate connected close to an oxycombustion boiler. The process is noteworthy compared to conventional gasification as it can optimize the composition of fluidizing agent (CO₂/O₂ ratio) and the temperature of the gasifier. It will be constructed in the “Ciudad de Energía” (CIUDEN) (Ponferrada, León). During the first phase, the design and construction of the gasifier island for autonomous functioning will be carried out. In later phases, the gasifier will be connected to the oxycombustion boiler and a gas cleaning system to feed the combustion engine to produce electricity will be constructed.

Distributed electricity generation from fluidized-bed biomass gasification

Financing: INERCO, IDEA, CTA
Duration: 2008 - 2010

Summary:
The aim of this project is to show that the gas generated in a fluidized-bed biomass gasifier at demonstration scale can be used to generate electricity through combustion in an engine. For this purpose, a cleaning system based on washing with organic solvent which retains the tar of the gasification gas, thereby allowing clean and efficient gas combustion in an engine. The project intends to demonstrate the cleaning system by taking a slipstream (about 10% mass of the total gas) from a semi-commercial fluidized-bed plant (3Mwth).

Gasification of organic fractions found in solid urban waste (FORSU)

Financing Organization: INERCO, IDEA, CTA
Duration: 2008 - 2009

Summary:
The aim of this project is to demonstrate the application of fluidized-bed gasification technology of municipal solid waste (MSU) for thermal and electrical exploitation. Several organic fractions suitable for thermochemical employment were selected in a MSU plant. The most promising fractions were tested in the laboratory and in a pilot scale fluidized-bed gasification plant. The results obtained were used to redesign an existing semi-industrial plant where gasification tests with selected wastes subjected to various simple pre-treatment systems, such as separation of metals or other materials, pellitizing, and size reduction, were scheduled. During the development of the project several exploitation alternatives from a technical and economic point of view were evaluated in order to identify among the technically viable projects those with the best industrial profitability.

Research project to evaluate the efficiency of the sludge gasification process and the applicability of this to the Isabel II canal

Financing Organization: Canal Isabel II
Duration: 2007 - 2009

Resumen:
The aim of this project is to evaluate the efficiency of the gasification technology and to assess its applicability in Canal Isabel II. It intends to improve the management of sludge from the urban wastewater treatment plants in the autonomous community of Madrid. This sludge cannot be reused for agriculture, either because they do not comply with the requirements of the 193/1998 community of Madrid decree, or because of future technical reasons (saturation or absence of demand for agricultural use). An attempt is made to minimize the volume of waste sent to landfill, thereby increasing the contribution of renewable energy sources in the supply of primary energy in Spain (Plan de Energías Renovables para España 2005-2010). Tests with dry sludge have been carried out in the gasification pilot and demonstration plants in Seville and in the Aborgase plant (3 MW_th fluidized-bed gasification plant), respectively. From the results, the economic viability of gasification as a means of treating the sludge was analyzed.

Dissemination, education and standardisation of Phyllis database on biomass fuels and ashes (PHYDADES)

Financing: VI Programa Marco. European Commission.
Duration: 2006 - 2009

Summary:
The aim of this project is to make available, to both the industry and the international scientific community, the most extensive information concerning the properties of biomass and ashes. It intends to provide confidence and reinforce relationships in the biofuels market, standardize prices, tests and methods of analysis, and, in short, make the commercial use of this type of fuel viable and competitive. The information will be disseminated in different ways: research workshops and international conferences with the participation of accredited laboratories from various countries in the EU, the creation of a database which further extends the existing Phyllis database, published and updated by the ECN (Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands). The Bioenergy Group is responsible for organizing a solid biofuels normalization course and a seminar on the standardization of biofuels in the south of Europe.

Study of thermal conversion by means of secondary air injection for the elimination of ash in fluid-bed gasifiers and techno-economic assessment regarding other routes (TC2GAS)

Financing: Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia de España
Duration: 2005 - 2008

Summary:
In this project, thermal cracking and partial oxidation through the injection of secondary air as an alternative to other routes of tar reduction in the bed, in particular in the catalytic route, were assessed. For this, kinetic data in the literature were selected, as well as those specifically determined in the laboratory scale fluidized bed. Extensive pilot scale experiments were carried out. A semi-empirical kinetic model was designed and integrated into a commercial CFD code to optimize air injection into the gasifier to evaluate different configurations. Finally, with the data collected from the previous activities, a techno-economic study of the various alternatives to tar cleaning which compete with that here proposed was carried out.

3 MWth biomass gasifier associated with fossil combustion boilers

Financing Organization: INERCO, IDEA, CTA
Duration: 2004 - 2006

Summary:
The project consisted of the design and construction of a demonstration scale fluid-bed gasification plant (3MW based on the LHV of the fuel). The plant was designed to gasify biomass wood pellets with air as a gasifying agent for using in thermal applications, specifically for co-combustion in large fossil fuel boilers (for instance in pulverized coal boiler). Once the plant was built, it was put into operation a sufficient number of hours to allow the adjustment and optimization of the plant to operate on wood pellets and olive stones. Other fuels from olive tree pruning (orujillo) and olive stone were also gasified. In the second phase, the design specifications to process other fuels and the possibility of using the gas in other applications, including electricity generation in engines, were established.

Improvement of economics of biomass/waste gasification by higher carbon conversion and advanced ash management (GASASH)

Financing: V Framework Programme. European Commission.
Duration: 2002 - 2005

Summary:
The aim of this project is to reduce the costs associated with gasification ash, minimizing the volume of ash, improving its quality or developing products and technology for its use as raw material. The first task of the project was centered on improving the fluid bed gasification processes, optimizing the operating conditions and the use of additives with a view to reducing the volume of ash produced and improving its quality. In the second task, new elements in the gasification system were developed and, in particular, a combustor annexed to the gasifier for the oxidization of ashes. In the third task, the possibility of using the gasification ashes in similar applications to combustion was evaluated, as well as developing new applications. Finally, a techno-economic assessment of the options developed was carried out in order to identify the optimum procedure for ash management. The Bioenergy Group participated in the first task optimizing bubbling fluidized-bed gasification and in the third phase characterizing and researching new applications for gasification ash.