Title:
Methanation-Enhanced Gasification - Design of a High Pressure Gasification Reactor to Investigate and Boost the Biomass to SNG Conversion Efficiency
Author(s):
Waizmann, G., Spörl, R., Scheffknecht, G.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Thermo-chemical conversion of lignin-rich biomass to SNG (Synthetic Natural Gas) is commonly done by allothermal steam gasification at temperatures exceeding 700 °C and subsequent methanation of the syngas at temperatures down to 300 °C. Whereas the gasification is endothermic, the strongly exothermic methanation reaction requires heat dissipation. But that methanation heat cannot readily be used for the endothermic gasification, due to the difference in temperature. However, the heat released during methanation accounts for up to 20% of the biomass’ initial energy content (HHV), and leads thus to a considerable reduction of the conversion efficiency. Innovative process concepts were developed to overcome this issue by integrating the methanation directly into the gasification process. The theoretical effect of measures which allow increasing the methane yield at already high gasification temperatures, which means combined gasification and methanation, are explained. They have the theoretical potential to boost the conversion efficiency up to about 95%. A continuously operated high pressure gasification test reactor is to be built to experimentally investigate the actual feasible optimization potential and the technical feasibility. The design considerations for the test rig are explained, based on required operating parameters.
Keywords:
gasification, methanation, thermochemical conversion, synthetic natural gas (SNG), efficiency optimization
Topic:
Biomass Conversion Technologies for Heating, Cooling and Electricity
Subtopic:
Gasification for synthesis gas production
Event:
25th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
2BO.10.4
Pages:
467 - 472
ISBN:
978-88-89407-17-2
Paper DOI:
10.5071/25thEUBCE2017-2BO.10.4
Price:
FREE
