Predicting the FLow behavior of ASH mixtures for production of transport biofuels in the circular economy
Abstract
The need for advanced biofuels is emphasised at both the national and international level. Biofuel can be produced from sustainable sources as wood and waste from forestry, agriculture, industry and household. It is important to develop an energy effective process that addresses the challenges associated with the conversion of biomass into biofuel. The first step in the production of biofuels from biomass is known as gasification. In this step, the biomass is heated and converted into a synthesis gas consisting of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. This gas is further converted into biofuels. Ash is a byproduct in the gasification process. There are major challenges associated with the ashes produced in a gasification reactor, and the key to success is to solve these problems. Ash in gasification reactors can cause various problems depending on the type of reactor used. For example, ash melting and formation of agglomerates (clumps) can reduce the availability in some reactors while in other reactors there is a dependency on conversion to molten ash which can run out of the reactor. In the latter case the ash may become too viscous and result in poor flowability and accumulation of ash in the reactor. The ash has different properties depending on the composition of the biomass, and in this project the impact of ash from different mixtures of biomass will be investigated. Experimental results will be used to develop a predictive model for ash-related problems for biomass mixtures. The successful completion of FLASH will provide valuable knowledge contributing to improving gasification efficiency by reducing the ash challenges. This will speed up the ability to use various sustainable biomass sources for conversion to biofuel via gasification.
Publikationen
Project staff
Christoph Pfeifer
Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.techn. Christoph Pfeifer
christoph.pfeifer@boku.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 47654-89301, 89351
BOKU Project Leader
01.07.2018 - 31.12.2021