In-Situ CO2-Absorption in a Dual Fluidized Bed Biomass Steam Gasifier to Produce a Hydrogen Rich Syngas

Within the last years renewable energy sources came more and more into the public focus. Steam gasification of solid biomass yields high quality producer gases that can be used for efficient combined heat and power production (CHP) and as a renewable resource for chemical syntheses. The dual fluidized bed steam gasification technology provides the necessary heat for steam gasification by circulating hot bed material that is heated in a second fluidized bed reactor by combustion of residual biomass char. The hydrogen content in producer gas of such gasifiers is about 40vol% (dry basis). Addition of carbonates to the bed material and adequate adjustment of operation conditions in the reactors allow selective transport of CO2 from gasification to combustion zone (Absorption Enhanced Reforming – AER concept). An 8MW (fuel power) CHP plant successfully demonstrates gasification in Guessing, Austria since 2002. A process development unit (100 kW fuel power) has been recently operated to investigate the potential of the selective CO2 transport achieving a H2 content of up to 75vol% (dry basis) in the producer gas. No significant increase in tar formation occurs despite the low gasification temperatures (600-700°C). It can be shown, that the selective transport of CO2 yields high hydrogen contents in the producer gas and the possibility of operating at lower temperatures increases the efficiency of energy conversion.