A Downdraft Fixed-Bed Biomass Gasification System with Integrated Products of Electricity, Heat, and Biochar: The Key Features and Initial Commercial Performance

Yong Huang, Yiling Wan, Shasha Liu, Yimeng Zhang, Huanhuan Ma, Shu Zhang and Jianbin Zhou
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Yong Huang: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Yiling Wan: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Shasha Liu: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Yimeng Zhang: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Huanhuan Ma: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Shu Zhang: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Jianbin Zhou: College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 15, 1-9

Abstract: Biomass, as a renewable and clean energy resource, plays a vital role in energy security and greenhouse gas reduction across the world. This paper reports on our newly established technology: a downdraft fixed-bed biomass gasification system using nut shells (mainly apricot kernel shells) for electricity generation, heating and partially activated carbon production at the same time. Particularly, the key features of the gasification reactor will be presented in detail. In the commercial plant (3 MW scale) located in Hebei province, China, the typical energy conversion from apricot kernel shell gasification is as follows: 47% syngas, 44% char (partially activated carbon), 5% hot water, and 4% energy loss. The main gasification temperature is 600–800 °C, while the activation zone is 850–900 °C. The commercial system has currently been in operation for 4 years. Considering the partially activated carbon as a stable carbon carrier, the whole system features negative CO 2 emissions.

Keywords: fixed-bed gasifier; electricity; heat; partially activated carbon; commercial performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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