Fast Pyrolysis Oil for Power Generation

Author(s):  
David Chiaramonti ◽  
Anja Oasmaa ◽  
Yrjo¨ Solantausta

Biomass fast-pyrolysis oil (PO) is a liquid biofuel derived from lignocellulosic biomass: it offers several advantages compared to the direct us of solid bio fuels, such as high energy density, storability and transportability typical of liquid fuels, possibility to use the fuel in engines and turbines, easier downscaling of plants (which is a very important aspect for decentralized energy generation schemes). In addition, PO is the lowest cost biofuel, thus offering the possibility to penetrate also the large scale power generation market. Biomass POs have been studied and applications tested for many years, either for heat generation in medium-scale boilers or power generation. The present works reviews and analyses the most relevant experiences carried out so far and published results in power production from biomass PO. Power generation systems (PGS) which are here examined are gas turbines, diesel engines, stirling engines, as well as co-firing applications in large scale power plants (coal or natural gas plants). The main techniques for upgrading this biofuel and their impact on technologies are also shortly introduced and considered. The current status of development for each PO-based power generation option is discussed. This review work showed that long term demonstration (either technical or economical) is however still needed, even for the most developed technologies (use of PO in modified gas turbines and cofiring in natural gas stations): projects are on going to achieve long term demonstration.

Author(s):  
Justin Zachary

Since 1998, the United States has experienced a tremendous increase in power generation projects using gas turbine technology. By burning natural gas as the primary fuel and low sulfur oil as a back-up fuel, gas turbines are the cleanest form of fossil power generation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Khalifa ◽  
S. A. El-Safty ◽  
A. Reda ◽  
M. A. Shenashen ◽  
M. M. Selim ◽  
...  

Abstract Modulation of lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes/cathodes with three-dimensional (3D) topographical hierarchy ridges, surface interfaces, and vortices promotes the power tendency of LIBs in terms of high-energy density and power density. Large-scale meso-geodesics offer a diverse range of spatial LIB models along the geodetically shaped downward/upward curvature, leading to open-ended movement gate options, and diffusible space orientations. Along with the primary 3D super-scalable hierarchy, the formation of structural features of building block egress/ingress, curvature cargo-like sphere vehicles, irregularly located serrated cuticles with abundant V-undulated rigidness, feathery tube pipe conifers, and a band of dagger-shaped needle sticks on anode/cathode electrode surfaces provides high performance LIB modules. The geodetically-shaped anode/cathode design enables the uniqueness of all LIB module configurations in terms of powerful lithium ion (Li+) movement revolving in out-/in- and up-/downward diffusion regimes and in hovering electron density for high-speed discharge rates. The stability of built-in anode//cathode full-scale LIB-model meso-geodesics affords an outstanding long-term cycling performance. The full-cell LIB meso-geodesics offered 91.5% retention of the first discharge capacity of 165.8 mAhg−1 after 2000 cycles, Coulombic efficiency of ~99.6% at the rate of 1 C and room temperature, and high specific energy density of ≈119 Wh kg−1. This LIB meso-geodesic module configuration may align perfectly with the requirements of the energy density limit mandatory for long-term EV driving range and the scale-up commercial manufactures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emiliano Borri ◽  
Alessio Tafone ◽  
Gabriel Zsembinszki ◽  
Gabriele Comodi ◽  
Alessandro Romagnoli ◽  
...  

The increasing penetration of renewable energy has led electrical energy storage systems to have a key role in balancing and increasing the efficiency of the grid. Liquid air energy storage (LAES) is a promising technology, mainly proposed for large scale applications, which uses cryogen (liquid air) as energy vector. Compared to other similar large-scale technologies such as compressed air energy storage or pumped hydroelectric energy storage, the use of liquid air as a storage medium allows a high energy density to be reached and overcomes the problem related to geological constraints. Furthermore, when integrated with high-grade waste cold/waste heat resources such as the liquefied natural gas regasification process and hot combustion gases discharged to the atmosphere, LAES has the capacity to significantly increase the round-trip efficiency. Although the first document in the literature on the topic of LAES appeared in 1974, this technology has gained the attention of many researchers around the world only in recent years, leading to a rapid increase in a scientific production and the realization of two system prototype located in the United Kingdom (UK). This study aims to report the current status of the scientific progress through a bibliometric analysis, defining the hotspots and research trends of LAES technology. The results can be used by researchers and manufacturers involved in this entering technology to understand the state of art, the trend of scientific production, the current networks of worldwide institutions, and the authors connected through the LAES. Our conclusions report useful advice for the future research, highlighting the research trend and the current gaps.


Author(s):  
Guangchi Sun ◽  
Baozhu Yang ◽  
Gui Yin ◽  
Hanping Zhang ◽  
Qi Liu

Aqueous zinc batteries are considered as one of the most promising energy storage systems for large-scale energy storage and wearable electronics, owing to their low cost and intrinsic safety. However, cathode materials that can reversibly host Zn<sup>2+</sup> are still less. Here, we demonstrate that two N-containing organic compounds, hexamethoxy hexaazatrinaphthylene (HMHATN) and hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATN), used as cathodes can exhibit excellent reversible Zn<sup>2+</sup> storage capability with fast kinetics and the high capacity of 542 and 963 mA h g<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. The Zn//HMHATN and Zn//HATN full batteries display the high energy density of 160 and 221.6 W h kg<sup>-1</sup>, respectively, and long-term cycling stability. Further, we investigate the mechanism of Zn<sup>2+</sup> storage in the cathodes. More importantly, the flexible aqueous Zn//HMHATN and Zn//HATN batteries fabricated also have high capacity, long-term cycling life and impressive energy density, displaying its application prospect in wearable electronics. Our work opens a new system for finding organic cathode materials used in aqueous zinc batteries.


Author(s):  
Paolo Colbertaldo ◽  
Giulio Guandalini ◽  
Elena Crespi ◽  
Stefano Campanari

Abstract A key approach to large renewable energy sources (RES) power management is based on implementing storage technologies, including batteries, power-to-hydrogen (P2H), pumped-hydro, and compressed air energy storage. Power-to-hydrogen presents specific advantages in terms of suitability for large-scale and long-term energy storage as well as capability to decarbonize a wide range of end-use sectors, e.g., including both power generation and mobility. This work applies a multi-nodal model for the hourly simulation of the energy system at a nation scale, integrating the power, transport, and natural gas sectors. Three main infrastructures are considered: (i) the power grid, characterized by instantaneous supply-demand balance and featuring a variety of storage options; (ii) the natural gas network, which can host a variable hydrogen content, supplying NG-H2 blends to the final consumers; (iii) the hydrogen production, storage, and re-electrification facilities. The aim of the work is to assess the role that can be played by gas turbine-based combined cycles in the future high-RES electric grid. Combined cycles (GTCCs) would exploit hydrogen generated by P2H implementation at large scale, transported through the natural gas infrastructure at increasingly admixed fractions, thus closing the power-to-power (P2P) conversion of excess renewables and becoming a strategic asset for future grid balancing applications. A long-term scenario of the Italian energy system is analyzed, involving a massive increase of intermittent RES power generation capacity and a significant introduction of low-emission vehicles based on electric drivetrains (pure-battery or fuel-cell). The analysis highlights the role of hydrogen as clean energy vector, not only for specific use in new applications like fuel cell vehicles and stationary fuel cells, but also for substitution of fossil fuels in conventional combustion devices. The study also explores the option of repowering the combined cycles at current sites and evaluates the effect of inter-zonal limits on power and hydrogen exchange. Moreover, results include the evaluation of the required hydrogen storage size, distributed at regional scale or in correspondence of the power plant sites. Results show that when extra hydrogen generated by P2H is fed to GTCCs, up to 17–24% H2 use is achieved, reaching up to 70–100% in southern regions, with a parallel reduction in fossil NG input and CO2 emissions of the GTCC plants.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangchi Sun ◽  
Baozhu Yang ◽  
Gui Yin ◽  
Hanping Zhang ◽  
Qi Liu

Aqueous zinc batteries are considered as one of the most promising energy storage systems for large-scale energy storage and wearable electronics, owing to their low cost and intrinsic safety. However, cathode materials that can reversibly host Zn<sup>2+</sup> are still less. Here, we demonstrate that two N-containing organic compounds, hexamethoxy hexaazatrinaphthylene (HMHATN) and hexaazatrinaphthylene (HATN), used as cathodes can exhibit excellent reversible Zn<sup>2+</sup> storage capability with fast kinetics and the high capacity of 542 and 963 mA h g<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. The Zn//HMHATN and Zn//HATN full batteries display the high energy density of 160 and 221.6 W h kg<sup>-1</sup>, respectively, and long-term cycling stability. Further, we investigate the mechanism of Zn<sup>2+</sup> storage in the cathodes. More importantly, the flexible aqueous Zn//HMHATN and Zn//HATN batteries fabricated also have high capacity, long-term cycling life and impressive energy density, displaying its application prospect in wearable electronics. Our work opens a new system for finding organic cathode materials used in aqueous zinc batteries.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhao-Yang Zhang ◽  
Tao LI

Solar energy and ambient heat are two inexhaustible energy sources for addressing the global challenge of energy and sustainability. Solar thermal battery based on molecular switches that can store solar energy and release it as heat has recently attracted great interest, but its development is severely limited by both low energy density and short storage stability. On the other hand, the efficient recovery and upgrading of low-grade heat, especially that of the ambient heat, has been a great challenge. Here we report that solar energy and ambient heat can be simultaneously harvested and stored, which is enabled by room-temperature photochemical crystal-to-liquid transitions of small-molecule photoswitches. The two forms of energy are released together to produce high-temperature heat during the reverse photochemical phase change. This strategy, combined with molecular design, provides high energy density of 320-370 J/g and long-term storage stability (half-life of about 3 months). On this basis, we fabricate high-performance, flexible film devices of solar thermal battery, which can be readily recharged at room temperature with good cycling ability, show fast rate of heat release, and produce high-temperature heat that is >20<sup> o</sup>C higher than the ambient temperature. Our work opens up a new avenue to harvest ambient heat, and demonstrate a feasible strategy to develop high-performance solar thermal battery.


2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (91) ◽  
pp. 16381-16384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuelong Xin ◽  
Liya Qi ◽  
Yiwei Zhang ◽  
Zicheng Zuo ◽  
Henghui Zhou ◽  
...  

A novel organic solvent-assisted freeze-drying pathway, which can effectively protect and uniformly distribute active particles, is developed to fabricate a free-standing Li2MnO3·LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (LR)/rGO electrode on a large scale.


Author(s):  
Zhiqiang Luo ◽  
Silin Zheng ◽  
Shuo Zhao ◽  
Xin Jiao ◽  
Zongshuai Gong ◽  
...  

Benzoquinone with high theoretical capacity is anchored on N-plasma engraved porous carbon as a desirable cathode for rechargeable aqueous Zn-ion batteries. Such batteries display tremendous potential in large-scale energy storage applications.


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