Paper details

Title:

Polygeneration of Heat, Power, and Biochar via Gasification: Findings from the NEW HEPOCH Project

Author(s):

Piazzi, S., Baratieri, M., Concli, F., Montenegro, G., Cristiani, L., Della Torre, A., Patuzzi, F.

Document(s):

Abstract:

The NEW-HEPOCH project investigates a polygeneration strategy for decentralized biomass gasification aimed at the combined production of heat, power, and biochar from low-grade feedstocks. In contrast to conventional small-scale gasifiers, which are commonly tuned to maximize electricity and often generate char streams unsuitable for valorization, the proposed approach seeks a balanced exploitation of all outputs. The experimental campaign was carried out on a prototype downdraft reactor equipped with multiple gasifying-agent injection points and a controlled char-discharge system. G30 woodchips affected by bark beetle infestation and agri-pellets from wine pruning were tested under air and air-plus-steam conditions. Results show stable operation, producer-gas lower heating values between about 4.1 and 4.5 MJ/kg, and char PAH concentrations consistently below current regulatory limits for biochar use. The findings support the feasibility of coupling the gasifier with an externally fired Stirling engine while producing a char stream suitable for agricultural applications.

Keywords:

biomass, gasification, biochar, polygeneration, Stirling engine

Topic:

Biomass Conversion for Bioenergy

Subtopic:

Gasification for power, CHP and polygeneration

Event:

34th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

4AO.5.1

Pages:

550 - 553

ISBN:

978-88-89407-27-1

Paper DOI:

10.5071/34thEUBCE2026-4AO.5.1

Price:

FREE