Scientists develop analytical system to monitor trace elements in biomass gasification
In recent years there has been significant and high-profile interest in the use of biofuels as possible alternatives to fossil fuels, as part of a move to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Although combustion accounts for most biofuel use, there has also been significant research into biofuel gasification, a transformation step needed to make synthetic biofuels (earlier post, and here).
However, the behaviour of trace elements during gasification can be problematic, with environmental concerns over toxic components, and process problems caused by alkali metal corrosion and fouling.
David Poole and colleagues at the University of Sheffield and SPECTRO Analytical Instruments, Germany have been conducting experiments to continuously monitor the concentration of various trace elements in the raw gasification gas from an experimental reactor (click to enlarge), in an effort to determine which elements are volatilised. They published their results in the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry [open access article].
Results of initial tests indicate that the concentration of some elements in the gas phase are extremely high, far higher than in combustion processes, and therefore are of significant concern. Owing to to problems with tar formation in the gasification process, the analysis proved extremely challenging, and further development of the sampling and pre-treatment procedure would be required to obtain more accurate, reliable, and long-term continuous monitoring results.
The German and British scientists also developed a portable, self-contained analytical laboratory for the continuous monitoring of the trace elements that are released during biofuel gasification. The system uses an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer to measure the concentration of up to 70 elements simultaneously:
bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: gasification :: trace elements :: biomass :: biomass-to-liquids ::
'Gasification is of growing interest as this can increase the energy efficiency of biofuel use,' said Poole, 'but the behaviour of trace elements during gasification can be problematic, with environmental concerns over toxic constituents such as lead, cadmium and arsenic, and process problems caused by others such as potassium and sodium.'
High concentrations of potassium and sodium were detected, which, according to Poole, could result in fouling and corrosion of gasification plants. The heavy metals measured were not detected at significantly high concentrations. The researchers will continue to optimise and improve their analytical system, and plan to develop more automated and robust systems.
More information:
David J. Poole, Vida Sharifi, Jim Swithenbank, Paul Kilgallon, Nigel Simms, John Oakey and Dirk Ardelt, "Continuous analysis of elemental emissions from a biofuel gasifier", J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2007 DOI: 10.1039/b616798e
Article continues
However, the behaviour of trace elements during gasification can be problematic, with environmental concerns over toxic components, and process problems caused by alkali metal corrosion and fouling.
David Poole and colleagues at the University of Sheffield and SPECTRO Analytical Instruments, Germany have been conducting experiments to continuously monitor the concentration of various trace elements in the raw gasification gas from an experimental reactor (click to enlarge), in an effort to determine which elements are volatilised. They published their results in the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry [open access article].
Results of initial tests indicate that the concentration of some elements in the gas phase are extremely high, far higher than in combustion processes, and therefore are of significant concern. Owing to to problems with tar formation in the gasification process, the analysis proved extremely challenging, and further development of the sampling and pre-treatment procedure would be required to obtain more accurate, reliable, and long-term continuous monitoring results.
The German and British scientists also developed a portable, self-contained analytical laboratory for the continuous monitoring of the trace elements that are released during biofuel gasification. The system uses an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer to measure the concentration of up to 70 elements simultaneously:
bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: gasification :: trace elements :: biomass :: biomass-to-liquids ::
'Gasification is of growing interest as this can increase the energy efficiency of biofuel use,' said Poole, 'but the behaviour of trace elements during gasification can be problematic, with environmental concerns over toxic constituents such as lead, cadmium and arsenic, and process problems caused by others such as potassium and sodium.'
High concentrations of potassium and sodium were detected, which, according to Poole, could result in fouling and corrosion of gasification plants. The heavy metals measured were not detected at significantly high concentrations. The researchers will continue to optimise and improve their analytical system, and plan to develop more automated and robust systems.
More information:
David J. Poole, Vida Sharifi, Jim Swithenbank, Paul Kilgallon, Nigel Simms, John Oakey and Dirk Ardelt, "Continuous analysis of elemental emissions from a biofuel gasifier", J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 2007 DOI: 10.1039/b616798e
Article continues
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
German biogas company to make gas from sugarcane residues in India
The sugar factory in Warana offers the ideal conditions for the operation of a biogas plant. The factory produces approximately 40,000 tons of press cake (bagasse) per year, from which biogas can be produced on a large scale. At the same time, high-quality fertilizer is left behind, and the methane gas emissions that would otherwise be produced can be avoided.
Biogas Nord is going to plan, deliver, and install the new plant and put it into service once completed. The construction of the current biogas plant will begin in approximately three months, will be finished by the end of this year and put into service at the beginning of the coming year. The biogas produced at the sugar factory should replace the fossil fuels it uses for its operations.
The highly efficient biogas plants installed by Biogas Nord AG are based on a flow-storage process. This involves the operation of several tanks (fermenters) with biomass substrate continuously flowing through them (see picture, click to enlarge).
The contract, worth €1.8 million euros, was signed and the foundation stone for the biogas plant was laid in the presence of the Minister for Economic Affairs from North Rhine-Westphalia, Christa Toben, and of Vinay V. Kore, Minister of the State of Maharashta responsible for renewable energy. Mr Kore recently visited North Rhine-Westphalia and was convinced of the potential for large-scale biogas production.
Discussions were held on further biogas plant developments with other sugar factories in the state. There are 165 sugar factories in Maharashta, representing more than half of the total sugar factories in India:
biomass :: bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: bagasse :: sugarcane :: biogas ::India ::
Biogas Nord AG is one of the largest German technology providers in the biogas sector. The services of the company and its currently over 130 employees encompass all areas of biogas technology, from concept development, detailed planning, plant construction and operation to service and support. The company has already grown very strongly in the last several years. Since 1995, it planned and built over 150 biogas plants.
About fifty other biogas plants are currently in the construction, approval, or planning phase in Germany, the Netherlands, Belarus, USA, England, Italy, Spain, Cuba, and Thailand.
The installed electrical output of BIOGAS NORD biogas plants is more than 50 MW, which can supply 70,000 households with electricity or heat from renewable energy.
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posted by Biopact team at 1:50 PM 0 comments links to this post