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15 pages, 2674 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biomass Polygeneration System for the Thermal Conversion of Softwood Waste into Hydrogen and Drop-In Biofuels

by Lorenzo Bartolucci, Enrico Bocci, Stefano Cordiner, Emanuele De Maina, Francesco Lombardi, Vera Marcantonio, Pietro Mele, Vincenzo Mulone and Davide Sorino

Energies 2023, 16(3), 1286; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16031286 - 25 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1573

Abstract

In order to keep the +1.5 °C over-temperature, previously predicted with high confidence by IPPC Sixth Assessment, as minimal as feasible, it is more than vital to achieve a low-emission energy system. Polygeneration systems based on thermochemical processes involve biomass conversion in multi-output [...] Read more.

In order to keep the +1.5 °C over-temperature, previously predicted with high confidence by IPPC Sixth Assessment, as minimal as feasible, it is more than vital to achieve a low-emission energy system. Polygeneration systems based on thermochemical processes involve biomass conversion in multi-output of bioenergy carriers and chemicals. Due to reduced energy input and input/output diversification, polygeneration energy systems are considered interesting pathways that can increase competitiveness of biomass-derived products. The proposed route of fast pyrolysis, sorption-enhanced biochar gasification and crude bio-oil hydrodeoxygenation to produce drop-in biofuel and hydrogen is examined. Both kinetic and equilibrium approaches were implemented in Aspen Plus to take into account the effect of the major operating parameters on the process performance and then validated against the literature data. Results show how the process integration leads to improved mass conversion yield and increases overall energy efficiency up to 10%-points, reaching the maximum value of 75%. Among the various parameters investigated, pyrolysis temperature influences mainly the products distribution while Steam/Biochar and Sorbent/Biochar affect the energy conversion efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biomass Waste Gasification)

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20 pages, 10303 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Kinetic and Thermodynamic Study of the Wet Desulfurization Reaction of ZnO Sorbents at High Temperatures

by Erwin Ciro, Alessandro Dell’Era, Arda Hatunoglu, Enrico Bocci and Luca Del Zotto

Energies 2023, 16(2), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16020792 - 10 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1522

Abstract

Hot gas conditioning is a remarkable stage for decreasing typical and harsh contaminants of syngas produced in the biomass gasification process. Downstream contaminants containing hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) can significantly deteriorate fuel stream conversion reactors and fuel cell systems. Thus, an effective [...] Read more.

Hot gas conditioning is a remarkable stage for decreasing typical and harsh contaminants of syngas produced in the biomass gasification process. Downstream contaminants containing hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) can significantly deteriorate fuel stream conversion reactors and fuel cell systems. Thus, an effective gas cleaning stage is required to remove critical streams that endanger the whole pathway toward the biomass conversion process. In this work, we studied H₂S capture from biofuel syngas by using a kinetic deactivation model to analyze the effect of the operating conditions on the adsorption performance. Furthermore, the particle sorbent influence on other reactions, such as methane reforming and water gas shift (WGS), were also evaluated. Breakthrough curves were plotted and fitted following a first-order linearized deactivation model to perform both the H₂S adsorption capacity and thermodynamic analysis. Moreover, the influence of the operating conditions was studied through a breakthrough curve simulation. By using the Arrhenius and Eyring–Polanyi expressions, it was possible to calculate the activation energy and some thermodynamic parameters from the transition state theory. Finally, a mathematical analysis was performed to obtain the diffusion coefficient (D) and the kinetic reaction constant (

{\bar{k}}_{0})

of H₂S gas within ZnO particles, considering a spherical geometry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biomass Waste Gasification)

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14 pages, 7101 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Synergic Effects of Bed Materials and Catalytic Filter Candle for the Conversion of Tar during Biomass Steam Gasification

by Alessandro Antonio Papa, Elisa Savuto, Andrea Di Carlo, Alessandra Tacconi and Sergio Rapagnà

Energies 2023, 16(2), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16020595 - 04 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1187

Abstract

This work concerns the activities of the European project BLAZE that aims to integrate a pilot-scale gasifier unit with a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). The objective is to identify the optimal operating conditions for a gasifier and hot gas cleaning and conditioning [...] Read more.

This work concerns the activities of the European project BLAZE that aims to integrate a pilot-scale gasifier unit with a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC). The objective is to identify the optimal operating conditions for a gasifier and hot gas cleaning and conditioning unit to produce H₂-rich syngas with contaminants levels within the limits for the safe operation of the SOFC (750 mg/Nm³ and 75 mg/Nm³ for toluene and naphthalene, respectively). Experimental tests were carried out on a bench-scale gasification plant with a catalytic filter candle placed in the freeboard, to study the influence of temperature (1032 up to 1137 K), bed materials (olivine or olivine/dolomite 80/20%), and a nickel-based catalyst. The tests with a ceramic filter candle filled with catalyst and the mixture of olivine and dolomite in the bed gave the best results in terms of gas composition and gas yield, but the tar content was still higher than the limits for the SOFC. To increase the residence time of the gas in the catalytic bed a new metallic filter candle was tested. This candle, with almost the same external volume, allowed doubling the amount of catalyst used. Under these conditions, the content of toluene and naphthalene was reduced below 150 and 50 mg/Nm³, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biomass Waste Gasification)

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13 pages, 1911 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Biodegradation of Synthetic Organic Compounds by Methanogenic Microbiome as an Alternative Approach for Wastewater Purification and Energy Production

by Iryna Bida, Oleksandra Shabliy, Olesia Havryliuk, Vira Hovorukha, Galina Gladka, Larysa Yastremska, Antonina Kalinichenko, Daniel Janecki and Oleksandr Tashyrev

Energies 2022, 15(18), 6556; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15186556 - 08 Sep 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1464

Abstract

The use of fossil fuels (methane, oil, etc.) is undergoing an unprecedented crisis now. There is the urgent need to search for alternative energy sources. A wide range of degraded organic materials can be effectively used to provide energy together with environmental protection. [...] Read more.

The use of fossil fuels (methane, oil, etc.) is undergoing an unprecedented crisis now. There is the urgent need to search for alternative energy sources. A wide range of degraded organic materials can be effectively used to provide energy together with environmental protection. Soapstock is a hazardous waste containing a high concentration of toxic organic compounds of man-made origin (fatty acids, surfactants, dyes, etc.). To prevent environmental contamination such substances require an effective treatment approach. The goal of the study was to isolate the adapted-to-fatty-acids methanogenic microbiome and investigate the patterns of sodium acetate and soapstock degradation with simultaneous biomethane synthesis. The effectiveness of the degradation of sodium acetate and soapstock by non-adapted and adapted microbiomes was evaluated by decreasing the concentration of dissolved organic compounds. The effectiveness of the fermentation process was determined by the biogas (mixture of CH₄ and CO₂) yield. The most effective degradation occurred in the variant with sodium acetate and adapted methanogens and amounted to 77.9%. In other variants, the patterns and the efficiency of purification were similar ranging from 60.6 to 68.0%. The biomethane was mostly synthesized by adapted methanogens on the soapstock and sodium acetate as substrates. Thus, the CH₄ yield was 368.4 L/kg of dissolved organic compounds or 127.5 L/kg of soapstock. The results of this study demonstrated the potential of methanogenic microorganisms in the biodegradation of soapstock with simultaneous biogas synthesis. The results can serve as a basis to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels by generating biomethane via the fermentation of toxic organics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biomass Waste Gasification)

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16 pages, 2797 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of an Intensified Thermo-Chemical Experimental Set-Up for Hydrogen Production from Biomass: Gasification Process Integrated to a Portable Purification System—Part II

by Donatella Barisano, Giuseppe Canneto, Francesco Nanna, Antonio Villone, Emanuele Fanelli, Cesare Freda, Massimiliano Grieco, Andrea Lotierzo, Giacinto Cornacchia, Giacobbe Braccio, Vera Marcantonio, Enrico Bocci, Claire Courson, Marco Rep, Tom Oudenhoven, Steffen Heidenreich and Pier Ugo Foscolo

Energies 2022, 15(13), 4580; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15134580 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1870

Abstract

Biomass gasification is a versatile thermochemical process that can be used for direct energy applications and the production of advanced liquid and gaseous energy carriers. In the present work, the results are presented concerning the H₂ production at a high purity grade [...] Read more.

Biomass gasification is a versatile thermochemical process that can be used for direct energy applications and the production of advanced liquid and gaseous energy carriers. In the present work, the results are presented concerning the H₂ production at a high purity grade from biomass feedstocks via steam/oxygen gasification. The data demonstrating such a process chain were collected at an innovative gasification prototype plant coupled to a portable purification system (PPS). The overall integration was designed for gas conditioning and purification to hydrogen. By using almond shells as the biomass feedstock, from a product gas with an average and stable composition of 40%-v H₂, 21%-v CO, 35%-v CO₂, 2.5%-v CH₄, the PPS unit provided a hydrogen stream, with a final concentration of 99.99%-v and a gas yield of 66.4%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biomass Waste Gasification)

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14 pages, 3834 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deactivation Model Study of High Temperature H₂S Wet-Desulfurization by Using ZnO

by Arda Hatunoglu, Alessandro Dell’Era, Luca Del Zotto, Andrea Di Carlo, Erwin Ciro and Enrico Bocci

Energies 2021, 14(23), 8019; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14238019 - 01 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1418

Abstract

High-temperature desulfurization techniques are fundamental for the development of reliable and efficient conversion systems of low-cost fuels and biomass that answer to the nowadays environmental and energy security issues. This is particularly true for biomass gasification coupled to SOFC systems where the sulfur [...] Read more.

High-temperature desulfurization techniques are fundamental for the development of reliable and efficient conversion systems of low-cost fuels and biomass that answer to the nowadays environmental and energy security issues. This is particularly true for biomass gasification coupled to SOFC systems where the sulfur content has to be minimized before being fed to the SOFC. Thus, commercially available zinc oxide has been studied and characterized as a desulfurizing agent in a fixed-bed reactor at high temperatures from 400 °C to 600 °C. The sorbent material was characterized by XRD, BET, SEM, and EDS analyses before and after adsorption. The sorbent’s sorption capacity has been evaluated at different temperatures, as well as the breakthrough curves. Moreover, the kinetic parameters as the initial sorption rate constant k₀, the deactivation rate constant k_d, and the activation energy have been calculated using the linearized deactivation model. The best performances have been obtained at 550 °C, obtaining a sorption capacity of 5.4 g per 100 g of sorbent and a breakthrough time of 2.7 h. These results can be used to extend ZnO desulfurization techniques to a higher temperature than the ones used today (i.e., 550 °C with respect to 400 °C). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biomass Waste Gasification)

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13 pages, 1907 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Analysis of an Integrated Plant: Fluidized Bed Steam Gasification of Hydrothermally Treated Biomass Coupled to Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

by Alessandro Antonio Papa, Andrea Di Carlo, Enrico Bocci, Luca Taglieri, Luca Del Zotto and Alberto Gallifuoco

Energies 2021, 14(21), 7331; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14217331 - 04 Nov 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1658

Abstract

An innovative process based on hydrothermal carbonization, gasification, and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) technologies was developed using a commercial process simulation software called ASPEN Plus. The object of this work is to study plant efficiency under various operating conditions. The hydrothermal pre-treatment [...] Read more.

An innovative process based on hydrothermal carbonization, gasification, and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) technologies was developed using a commercial process simulation software called ASPEN Plus. The object of this work is to study plant efficiency under various operating conditions. The hydrothermal pre-treatment (HTC) at 200 and 250 °C was modelled as a black box based on the experimental results. The gasifier was modelled as a single reactor vessel with both the fluidized bed steam gasification of solid fuel and the hot gas cleaning system. The SOFC was modelled as a simple grey box with the ASPEN Plus blocks. The effect of HTC temperature and steam/carbon (S/C) ratio on the syngas composition and yield and plant efficiency was studied. The results show that the gasification of hydrochar obtained at 200 °C with S/C ratio of 0.6 gives the best results, namely an energy output of SOFC equal to 1.81 kW/kg_Biomass, and overall process efficiency of 36%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biomass Waste Gasification)

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Review

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17 pages, 2014 KiB

Open AccessReview

Dioxin Formation in Biomass Gasification: A Review

by Aysan Safavi, Christiaan Richter and Runar Unnthorsson

Energies 2022, 15(3), 700; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15030700 - 19 Jan 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2938

Abstract

The amount of PCDD/F emissions produced by gasification operations is often within standard limits set by national and international laws (<0.1 ng TEQ/Nm³). However, a recent assessment of the literature indicates that gasification cannot always reduce PCDD/Fs emissions to acceptable levels, [...] Read more.

The amount of PCDD/F emissions produced by gasification operations is often within standard limits set by national and international laws (<0.1 ng TEQ/Nm³). However, a recent assessment of the literature indicates that gasification cannot always reduce PCDD/Fs emissions to acceptable levels, and thus a common belief on the replacement of incineration with gasification in order to reduce PCDD/Fs emissions seems overly simplistic. A review that summarizes the evidence on when gasification would likely result in environmentally benign emissions with PCDD/F below legal limits, and when not, would be of scientific and practical interest. Moreover, there are no reviews on dioxin formation in gasification. This review discusses the available data on the levels of dioxins formed by gasifying different waste streams, such as municipal solid wastes, plastics, wood waste, animal manure, and sewage sludge, from the existing experimental work. The PCDD/Fs formation in gasification and the operational parameters that can be controlled during the process to minimize PCDD/Fs formation are reviewed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Biomass Waste Gasification)

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