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Start of funding 01.07.2018
BioPolyG – Coupling of Biomass Gasification, Liquid Synthesis and Solide Oxide Fuel Cells for Modern and Innovative Polygeneration Plants
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hartmut Spliethoff
Technische Universität München
Lehrstuhl für Energiesysteme
Dr. Paul A. Erickson
University of California, Davis
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Biomass utilization through gasification and subsequent synthesis gas use e.g. for CO2-neutral and sustainable fuels or base chemicals can help to enhance the share of renewables in the transportation and chemical sector and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Although liquid synthesis steps from synthesis gas are well known and used on a fossil basis, these technologies used with biomass-derived syngas are not state-of-the-art. In general, the big challenges to tackle on a scientific level are different compositions and impurities in the biomass-based synthesis gas. Another issue are smaller scales of biomass-based plants. Since fossil fuels are centrally available, the fuel input can be very large. Biomass, due to its decentral nature, should be used in a smaller scale. The problem with liquids synthesis like MeOH are small conversions due to equilibrium limitations resulting in large recycle streams that are not economically feasible for smaller scales. Reducing the recycle and using the tail gas for power generation in SOFCs can be a way to efficiently utilize the complete biomass feedstock in a polygeneration concept and therefore optimizing economics for biomass utilization to liquids and chemicals.
Final report:
Within the framework of the cooperation project BioPolyG, joint research and exchange visits of students and doctoral candidates between the University of California, Davis (UCD) and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) were carried out. In September 2018 a joint workshop took place in Davis, California, which included the kick-off meeting of BioPolyG and the preparation of a joint H2020 project proposal based on BioPolyG. The project proposal was submitted in cooperation with several international partners in summer 2019 in the framework of an EU Horizon 2020 Call. Unfortunately, the application was not successful, but a new submission is being worked on. In the further course of the project the funding by BaCaTec enabled a research stay of a master student of the TUM at the UCD (October 2019). During the stay, an experimental investigation of the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was performed in the laboratories of Prof. Erickson (Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) in Davis. Due to previous projects, the materials and expertise regarding the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis were already available. The experimental setup was rebuilt and successfully put into operation in cooperation with UCD and TUM. Adjustments were made to adapt the experimental setup to the conditions of biomass gasification. After commissioning, test series for different space velocities (GHSV) and H2/CO ratios were carried out and evaluated in cooperation. The results, the test setup and the test execution are documented in a research report. The results will initially serve as a basis for further optimization regarding syngas conversion and yield of hydrocarbons. Prof. Erickson is already planning a subsequent project for this purpose, which will manipulate the gas flow in the reactor in a targeted manner and thereby increase turnover. The evaluation of this and subsequent projects will continue to be carried out in close cooperation between the universities. If the further experiments are successful, a publication is planned.