Torsten Methling

Power generation based on biomass by combined fermentation and gasification – A new concept derived from experiments and modelling

A new concept is proposed for combined fermentation (two-stage high-load fermenter) and gasification (two-stage fluidised bed gasifier with CO2 separation) of sewage sludge and wood, and the subsequent utilisation of the biogenic gases in a hybrid power plant, consisting of a solid oxide fuel cell and a gas turbine. The development and optimisation of the important processes of the new concept (fermentation, gasification, utilisation) are reported in detail. For the gas production, process parameters were experimentally and numerically investigated to achieve high conversion rates of biomass. For the product gas utilisation, important combustion properties (laminar flame speed, ignition delay time) were analysed numerically to evaluate machinery operation (reliability, emissions). Furthermore, the coupling of the processes was numerically analysed and optimised by means of integration of heat and mass flows. The high, simulated electrical efficiency of 42% including the conversion of raw biomass is promising for future power generation by biomass.

A novel linear transformation model for the analysis and optimisation of chemical kinetics

In this study, a novel model for the analysis and optimisation of numerical and experimental chemical kinetics is developed. Concentration–time profiles of non-diffusive chemical kinetic processes and flame speed profiles of fuel–oxidiser mixtures can be described by certain characteristic points, so that relations between the coordinates of these points and the input parameters of chemical kinetic models become almost linear. This linear transformation model simplifies the analysis of chemical kinetic models, hence creating a robust global sensitivity analysis and allowing quick optimisation and reduction of these models. Firstly, in this study the model is extensively validated by the optimisation of a syngas combustion model with a large data set of imitated ignition experiments. The optimisation with the linear transformation model is quick and accurate, revealing the potential for decreasing the numerical costs of the optimisation process by at least one order of magnitude compared to established methods. Additionally, the optimisation on this data set demonstrates the capability of predicting reaction rate coefficients more accurately than by currently known confidence intervals. In a first application, methane combustion models are optimised with a small experimental set consisting of OH(A) and CH(A) concentration profiles from shock tube ignition experiments, species profiles from flow reactor experiments and laminar flame speeds. With the optimised models, especially the predictability for the flame speeds of mixtures of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane can be increased compared to established models. With the analysis of the optimised models, new information on the low pressure reaction coefficient of the fall-off reaction H+CH3(+M)⟺CH4(+M) is determined. In addition, the optimised combustion model is quickly and efficiently reduced to validate a new rapid reduction scheme for chemical kinetic models.