TY - JOUR
T1 - Biomass Conversion to Methanol Integrating Solid Oxide Cells and Two-Stage Gasifier: Effects of Carbon Dioxide Recirculation and Pressurized Operation
AU - Butera, Giacomo
AU - Jensen, Søren Højgaard
AU - Gadsbøll, Rasmus Østergaard
AU - Ahrenfeldt, Jesper
AU - Clausen, Lasse Røngaard
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Synthesis of biofuels is an important step in the phase out of fossil fuels in the transportation sector, especially in long-distance sea, air and road transport where direct electrification seems unfeasible. Integration of renewable electricity enables efficient electricity storage as well as an increased utilization of the biomass carbon, which lowers the biomass demand. This paper presents a flexible system for the conversion of biomass and electricity to methanol. The system is based on the deep integration of a Two-Stage gasifier and solid oxide cells (SOC). The integration enables efficient production of a nitrogen-free high-quality syngas, suitable for methanol production. This study focuses on the system in electrolysis mode, and analyzes the effects of recirculating CO2 from the gas conditioning and methanol synthesis process back to the SOC, as well as the effects of pressurized operation of the gasifier and increased H2O content in the gasifier. Thermodynamic modeling shows that CO2-recirculation allows an increase in conversion of the carbon in the biomass to methanol from 80 % up to 92 %, with an energy efficiency of 71 %. Only a slight pressurization seems feasible, as an increase in pressure beyond ~3 bar results in significant methane formation inside the SOC.
AB - Synthesis of biofuels is an important step in the phase out of fossil fuels in the transportation sector, especially in long-distance sea, air and road transport where direct electrification seems unfeasible. Integration of renewable electricity enables efficient electricity storage as well as an increased utilization of the biomass carbon, which lowers the biomass demand. This paper presents a flexible system for the conversion of biomass and electricity to methanol. The system is based on the deep integration of a Two-Stage gasifier and solid oxide cells (SOC). The integration enables efficient production of a nitrogen-free high-quality syngas, suitable for methanol production. This study focuses on the system in electrolysis mode, and analyzes the effects of recirculating CO2 from the gas conditioning and methanol synthesis process back to the SOC, as well as the effects of pressurized operation of the gasifier and increased H2O content in the gasifier. Thermodynamic modeling shows that CO2-recirculation allows an increase in conversion of the carbon in the biomass to methanol from 80 % up to 92 %, with an energy efficiency of 71 %. Only a slight pressurization seems feasible, as an increase in pressure beyond ~3 bar results in significant methane formation inside the SOC.
U2 - 10.3303/CET1976197
DO - 10.3303/CET1976197
M3 - Journal article
VL - 76
JO - Chemical Engineering Transactions
JF - Chemical Engineering Transactions
SN - 2283-9216
ER -