Performance of large-scale biomass gasifiers in a biorefinery, a state-of-the-art reference

TLDR

The Gothenburg Biomass Gasification plant, the world’s largest 20 MW biomethane facility, converts woody biomass into biomethane. The study reports first‑campaign data and evaluates mass and energy balances of the plant’s gasification units. Simulations assess efficiency‑enhancing measures such as potassium/sulfur additives, inlet pre‑heating, reactor insulation, biomass drying, and power‑to‑gas heat input. The plant achieved a 71.7 % LHVdaf cold gas efficiency with dried biomass, converting 54 % of char and 34 % of volatiles to methane; heat losses of 5.2 % LHVdaf limit performance, but simulations suggest efficiency could rise to 83.5 % LHVdaf, underscoring the strong potential of large‑scale biomass gasification. © 2017 The Authors; published in International Journal of Energy Research by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Abstract

The Gothenburg Biomass Gasification plant (2015) is currently the largest plant in the world producing biomethane (20 MWbiomethane) from woody biomass. We present the experimental data from the first measurement campaign and evaluate the mass and energy balances of the gasification sections at the plant. Measures improving the efficiency including the use of additives (potassium and sulfur), high-temperature pre-heating of the inlet streams, improved insulation of the reactors, drying of the biomass and introduction of electricity as a heat source (power-to-gas) are investigated with simulations. The cold gas efficiency was calculated in 71.7%LHVdaf using dried biomass (8% moist). The gasifier reaches high fuel conversion, with char gasification of 54%, and the fraction of the volatiles is converted to methane of 34%mass. Because of the design, the heat losses are significant (5.2%LHVdaf), which affect the efficiency. The combination of potential improvements can increase the cold gas efficiency to 83.5%LHVdaf, which is technically feasible in a commercial plant. The experience gained from the Gothenburg Biomass Gasification plant reveals the strong potential biomass gasification at large scale. © 2017 The Authors. International Journal of Energy Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.