Martin Seemann

Integration Study for Alternative Methanation Technologies for the Production of Synthetic Natural Gas from Gasified Biomass

This paper analyzes the integration of two different methanation technologies – fixed bed adiabatic and fluidised bed isothermal - in a SNG production process and the consequences for the overall process energy conversion performance. The different operating conditions of the two methanation technologies lead to a change in temperature levels and quantities of recoverable heat, respectively, but also to differences in the overall processes’ power consumption. Using pinch methodology for optimal internal heat recovery in combination with flowsheeting software (ASPEN Plus), the two methanation alternatives are fitted into the SNG production process. The potential power production from recovered process heat is analysed based on the Carnot efficiency and compared to the overall power consumption within the SNG process. Both methanation alternatives perform equally within the given boundary conditions, resulting in an output of SNG of 63.3 MWLHV per 100 MWLHV dry fuel input and a ratio of about 1.22 between theoretical power production and overall power consumption.

First Experiences with the New Chalmers Gasifier

During summer 2007 a 2–6 MWth indirect gasification section was integrated into the loop of the existing 82➀2 MWth circulating fluidized bed boiler at Chalmers University. With help of a particle distributor the gasification unit is connected to the loop after the cyclone. Hot bed material entrained from the boiler is so transferred to the gasifier providing the heat for the production of a nearly nitrogen free product gas. Non-gasified char is returned together with the bed material into the boiler and converted. Biomass can be fed into both sections; the boiler and the gasifier. The gasification is separated from the boiler via two loop seals and a particle distributer, directing particles either back to the boiler or into the gasification section. For that reason the CFB boiler can be operated even after the retrofit independently, just like before, or in combined combustion/gasification mode. This possibility keeps the risk for a retrofit low. As, furthermore, the investment costs for the integration are considerably lower than standalone gasification units of that size, the retrofit is an easy way to extend the potential of a CFB Boiler towards bi- and tri-generation (heat, power, fuel) and enter new markets.

Terahertz Spectroscopy for Real-Time Monitoring of Water Vapor and CO Levels in the Producer Gas From an Industrial Biomass Gasifier

In this paper, we present a study of THz transmission spectroscopy as a novel tool for the monitoring of the steam and CO contents of the raw gas from industrial biomass gasifiers. A THz gas spectrometer with a frequency range of 300-500 GHz was designed and constructed. Proof-of-principle testing was performed at laboratory conditions using mixtures of different gases at high temperatures (600-700 K). The results demonstrate the feasibility of applying strong rotational water vapor lines at 448 and 383 GHz, so as to obtain reliable online measurements of water vapor with an absolute precision of about 0.2 vol.% for the current device. CO lines were identified at 461 and 346 GHz, facilitating measurement of this gas. The gas spectrometer was integrated into an industrial gasifier and boiler, and its performance was tested in terms of online measurements of steam and CO in the hot raw gas and flue gases under real-life conditions. Considering the error intervals, the results are in complete agreement with data acquired by solving loose mass balances around the system. The onsite experiments demonstrate that THz gas spectroscopy is a promising tool for fast, robust, and reliable monitoring in industrial applications.

Initial corrosion attack of 304L and T22 in 2 MW biomass gasifier: a microstructural investigation

Abstract The work investigates the initial corrosion attack on a low alloyed steel and a stainless steel in a 2 MW test gasifier. The gasifier environment generates homogenous deposits that consist mainly of carbon containing species, potassium sulphate, potassium chloride and zinc sulphide. The stainless steel exhibits better corrosion resistance compared to the low alloyed steel and the analysis indicates a protective thin scale covering parts of the surface after 4 h exposure. However, in some areas the oxide scale has lost its protective properties and thicker oxide scales are seen. The thick oxide islands consist of an inward growing Fe,Cr,Ni oxide and an outward growing iron oxide. The low alloyed steel shows a more homogenous and faster initial corrosion attack. The thick scales exhibit a sharp straight line in the middle of the scale that separates the bottom spinel oxide from the outer iron rich parts of the scale. It is considered that this flat interface corresponds to the original sample surface.

Characterization of Particulate Matter in Biomass Gasification

The purpose of this work is to examine the potential of monitoring heavy tar compounds contained in the product gas of a biomass gasifier. The hot product gas from atmospheric indirect bubbling flu ...