Biomass gasification systems integrated with fuel cells and microturbines

Abstract:

Biomass has lately experienced appreciable attention as a potential substitute for fossil fuels in electric power production. Renewable biomass crops, industrial wood residues, and municipal wastes as fuels for production of electricity provide substantial reduction of environmental impact. High reactivity of biomass makes it comparatively easy to convert solid feedstock into gaseous fuel for subsequent use in a power generating system. The gasification of biomass is a thermal treatment, which ensues in a high production of gaseous products and small amounts of char and ash. Steam reforming of hydrocarbons, partial oxidation of heavy oil residues, selected steam reforming of aromatic compounds, and gasification of coals and solid wastes to yield a mixture of H2 and CO, accompanied by water-gas shift conversion to produce H2 and CO2, are wellproved processes. Biomass gasification derived gas is a renewable fuel, which can be used for fuel cell applications. Fuel cells and microturbines are electricity producers that undertake relevant energetic and environmental performances. They feature high electricity to input chemical energy ratios and availableness of high temperature heat. The positive properties of fuel cells and microturbines for high efficiency power generation at any scale and of biomass as a renewable energy source which is not intermittent, location-dependent or very unmanageable to store, indicate that a combined heat and power system consisting of a fuel cell integrated with a wood gasifier may provide a combination for delivering heat and electricity cleanly and efficiently. Integration of both technologies has been under probe for quite long time. Fuel cell technology is one of the most interesting energy conversion systems offering nearly zero emissions, flexibility of operation and high conversion efficiency. Increasing demand for power and the depletion of fossil fuels are offering opportunities for the development of fuel cells as power generating systems. The aim of this chapter is to assess the possibility of biomass exploitation for electric energy production in a given area. © 2009 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

Año de publicación:

2009

Keywords:

• hybrid systems
• Gas turbine
• distributed generation
• fuel cells
• Biomass gasification

Fuente:

scopus