Integrated Home Energy from Waste & Biomass - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Integrated Home Energy from Waste & Biomass

Tom Horgan and Noa Simons

February 6, 2009

Introduction

Research Summary

Integrated Home Energy System (IHES)

Wrap Up

Multi-fuel (Biomass, MSW, Sewage), “Clean Gasification” based

Multiple energy conversion options (CHP, Gas Gen, LF, FC) with ability to run from NG/LPG if available

Rationale:

Lean (saves $), Green (recycle), Mean (self sufficiency)

Clean Gasification - Enabling Technology for BTLTF (Biomass To Liquid Transportation Fuel)

Direct competition with crude products unrealistic

Alternative energy field was exploding with oil prices reaching $150/barrel in 2008

Modern science applied to BLTTF has yielded many new concepts ready for advancement & commercialization

New technologies could make old concepts more viable

Expectation

Research literature, talk to scientists, down-select concepts, develop business plan and commercialize

Majority of research dollars to bioethanol and bio“diesel”

Liquefaction, pyrolysis - low grade fuels for heating

Low fraction of alkanes, upgrading methods in research phase

FT synthesis only proven route to diesel

Highly Capital Intensive (pure syngas), nonselective

Methanol is doable – trouble as a transportation fuel

MTG considered failed technology (durene)

Gasification technology major obstacle for all three

Inefficient (drying), expensive (multistep cleaning)

Energy density of green biomass ¼ of crude (out of the ground)

Electricity is more valuable than liquid fuels

Electricity is the most valuable form of energy

Electricity generation only ~33% efficient nationwide (line losses)

Household waste contains 30% of total energy used

On site generation saves money, is green and enables sense of self sufficiency

Critical Technology

Core technology development for distributed generation is same for all biomass conversion processes (gasification, cleaning, drying)

Integrated Home Energy from Biomass & Waste

The State of Energy

http://www.eia.doe.gov/

https://eed.llnl.gov/flow/images/LLNL_Energy_Chart300.jpg

The State of Energy

• Estimates on proven reserves are historically low (reserve growth) and have been “running out” since the 30’s
• Unproven (P50) and untapped reserves available (arctic)
• Prices may not rise a quickly as predicted

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_reserves

The State of Energy

1% of All Biomass

On Earth

(~ 50 cubic miles proven reserves as of 2008)

Note: All of the dewatered sludge in NYS contains enough energy for ~ 30 gas stations

=

http://spectrum.ieee.org/jan07/4820

Fossil Fuel: Millions of years worth of algae (crude) & biomass (coal) cooked and condensed by the earth

Biofuels: Wood, sludge, farm waste, etc that needs to be dried and converted

Crude Oil (raw) – 42.7 MJ/kg

Gasoline - 43.5 MJ/kg (~80%)

Diesel - 42.8 MJ/kg (~85%)

Biomass/Solids – 6 to 20 MJ/kg

MTG Gasoline - 43.5 MJ/kg (< 50%)

FT Diesel - 42.8 MJ/kg (< 60%)

5 to 15x more input energy for BTLTF

The State of Energy

http://www.eia.doe.gov/

The State of Energy

http://www.eia.doe.gov/

Focused on evaluation of BTLTF technologies such as Fischer Tropsch, Methanol, MTG

Uncovered issues with gasification that prohibited commercialization

Shifted to catalytic gasification and ionic liquids as means of addressing issues

Settled on distributed generation as the most promising route to profitability in biomass conversion

Competing with crude on transportation fuels is a very tall order

Electricity has higher value and is easier to achieve w/ biomass

Gasification is core technology for both BTLTF and electricity generation

Distributed generation competes with electricity on site using waste & wood (or NG)

Integrated Home Energy System (IHES)

Robust Gasification

Gasification drawbacks are major impediment to commercialization

Conversion processes all require clean syngas (particulate and tar)

Conversion processes require different H2/CO ratio

Microchannel FT synthesis requires pure H2/CO (free of N2 and CO)

Robust gasifier concept incorporates advanced cleaning, CO2/N2 filtration and shift catalyst for control of H2/CO ratio

Solution for all gasification processes

Food

Water

Paper

Plastics

MSW

8 Kg/day

~91 MJ/day

Water

Sewage

290 GPD

0.1% Solids

~ 7 MJ/day

Average Usage: ~320 MJ/day

Waste: ~ 100 MJ/day (~30%)

Integrated Home Energy

Heat & Power

Feed Prep

Wood

Chips

Syngas

Dewater

WGS

MSW

N2/CO2 Removal

Dryer

Water

Sewage

Gasifier

Cleaning/ Scrubbing

Air

Slag

IHES is micro CHP Unit that supplies heat and power to residence

Gasifier accepts MSW and Biomass feedstocks

NG/LPG can also fuel generator and be used for start up energy/emergency back up

Net metering provides opportunity for net positive gain

Usage: 320 MJ/day 60% Electric, 40% Thermal

Annual Cost: $1800

Waste = 30% of Total Usage (92% MSW, 8% Sewage)

Assume 60% gasifier efficiency, 30% electric and 70% thermal recovery

Gasify all MSW and 50kg wood per day

All electricity supplied with heat in excess

Wood cost = ~ $330 annually

Annual Savings = $1800 - $330 = $1470

NG could supplement in absence of wood

http://www.eia.doe.gov/

Feed preparation/pretreatment

Chipper/shredder must be able to prepare both wood and MSW

Grind/mixing for uniform gasification

Dewatering

Advanced dewatering for on site sewage treatment (much later development)

Drying

Recover internal heat to pre-dry feed for improved efficiency

Gasifier

Must supply heat & syngas from a variety of waste and biomass feedstocks

Gas Cleaning

Cyclone, cold water quench followed by sand filter. Research advanced methods.

CO2/N2 membrane filtration (much later development for microchannel FT)

Water Gas Shift

Design and implement WGS for H2/CO control

Energy Storage

Battery module for start up.

NG functionality can also support start up and back up capability

Controls & Software

Control methods for WGS (control steam on outlet temp)

Control methods for heat rejection

Control methods for load following (much later development)

Phase 1: Proof of Concept with Advanced Gasification Development (6 months)

Assemble and test a simple downdraft gasifier/gas generator system on wood (Zanoni)

Downselect and purchase gasifier, gas generator, chipper, etc

Research/validate wood gasification (mc, wood type, etc).

Assemble/test and develop heat rejection, gas cleaning

Advanced Gasifier Development (Horgan)

Test & Development, MSW gasification methods

Evaluate methods of feed prep, required temperatures, etc

Research/development/test CHP functionality

Phase 1: Cost Estimates*

Hardware

Purchase 2 gasifiers, NG generator (~ $10 to 15K)

Misc tools/test equipment ($1 to $3K)

One Computer - Zanoni ($1K)

Additional Hardware for BOP ($3 to 5K)

Salaries: 2 x $90K * 0.5 = $90K

Rental: $1 to $1.5K /per month = $6 to $9K

Total: ~ $120,000

* Should have Zanoni do this right

Phase 2: Prototype Demonstration with More Gasification Development (6 months)

Integrate advanced gasification, generator and CHP loop into homogeneous unit (Zanoni)

Validate CHP functionality/software & controls

Develop detail drawings, design system layout & enclosure

Assemble and test prototypes

Advanced Gasifier Development (Horgan)

Test & Development of integrated shift for H2/CO control

Research/development of membrane CO2/N2 removal

Phase 2: Cost Estimate

Hardware:

Custom designed gasifier & system components ($100 to $150K)

NG Generator ($3K)

Shift reactor, software & controls ($15K)

Software: Solid Works ($10K)

Salaries: 2 x $90K * 0.5 = $90K

Rental: $1 to $1.5K /per month = $6 to $9K

Total: ~ $235/285K

Multifuel, gasification based CHP system for residential use

Robust Gasifier: multi-fuel, with H2/CO control and advanced cleaning technology

Patents

Multiple patents for multi-fuel gasifier with specific processing methods

None found for IHES system as conceived

No direct competition in Multi-fuel, gasification based residential scale systems

Community Power Corp – Wood fueled systems for farms/light industrial

Main competition Micro CHP NG Systems

Marathon Engine Systems: NG Micro CHP for hot water systems

Freewatt: Forced hot air w/ 1.2 kW Honda Generator – heat following http://www.marathonengine.com

Gasification development supports future, large scale work

Need a lab and team to search the biomass research database

The State of Energy

http://www.eia.doe.gov/

Do not synthesize transportation grade fuel without upgrading (undeveloped)

Pyrolysis oils are corrosive

Biopetrol model is liquefaction of sludge to fuel oil/burn on site – business plan claims 1yr ROI

Dynamotive works with multiple customers on retrofitted applications (bigger/stainless steel pumps, motors etc)

Storrs process (describe & why shut down)

Gasification

Synthesis

Upgrading

Gasification – covered as a separate topic

FT Synthesis Reaction Chemistry

Product Distribution

• Low Temp FT
• 200/240C
• Cobalt
• waxes
• Hi Temp FT
• 300/350C
• Iron
• liquids

Reactor Design Types

Chain growth a function of temp, pressure, catalyst type & condition, reactor design

Exothermic reactions lead to poor temp control and wide distributions

Slurry reactors are best but suboptimal

Microchannel reactors may play but still new (Velocys)

The more pure the syngas the better (even for CO2 and N2)

Dilute syngas leads to large reactors (higher cost)

Natural Gas

Desulph

SMR

2H2 + CO CH3OH

50 Atm, 270C

Copper Oxide Catalyst

H = -92 kJ/mol

Gasifier

Cleaning

Coal or Biomass

Steam

O2, Air

Syngas (H2, CO (CO2, N2))

Compressor

Methanol

Convertor

Cooling/

Distillation

Methanol

Syngas Recycle Loop

Purge

Gas

MTG Process

Commercial Production mainly from NG (coal)

Max Thermal Efficiency ~65%

Single pass 25%, Exothermic, Thermo constraints

http://bioweb.sungrant.org/Technical/Bioproducts/Bioproducts+from+Syngas/Methanol/Default.htm

Methanol Demand

37%  formaldehyde (resins/glues for particle board and ply wood)

21%  MTBE (gasoline additive that reduces exhaust emissions)

14%  acetic acid (chemicals for adhesives, coatings and textiles)

Used directly as a fuel…

Burns cleaner than gasoline (Higher Octane)

Corrosive to engine parts, gaskets, etc

Slower burning (advance ignition time)

Cold starting an issue (lower vapor pressure)

Absorbs water

2CH3OH CH3OCH3 + H2O

320C Alumina

CH3OCH3  H2O + C2 – C5, alkenes,

cycloalkanes, aromatics

400/420C Zeolite

Light HC, CO2, H2

Product Composition

The aromatic portion is at the high end of the gasoline spec (6/29%)

Aromatics are about 20% Durene – low melting point (icing). Separation is expensive.

Actual efficiency 44% (Hamiton).

First step in FT, methanol, MTG, FC, generator

Biomass is heated under low oxygen conditions (Atmospheric, > 600C)

Steam sometimes added

Volatile material driven of leaving char, steam and tars

Char reacts with air and steam to form syngas (H2, CO, others)

Downdraft Gasifier

Outside dimensions (w/ hopper): 4ft h x 1.5ft d

Syngas production rate: ~ 35 ft3/lb of 15% wood

Max Capacity: ~700 lbs wood/day - 1000 ft3/h (320 MJ/h)

Outlet Temp: 50/75C after cyclone/filter

$2300 Assembled

$1400 Not Assembled

http://www.allpowerlabs.org

Gasification rated primary barrier to commercialization of BTLTF System

Very pure syngas required (essentially H2/CO)

Systems diluted with N2, CO2 lead to large reactors

Substantial Cleaning & Scrubbing required

Biomass variability leads to syngas variability

Holy Grail: Robust Gasification

Gasification System that receives ANY carbonaceous feedstock and returns pure syngas with tunable H2/CO ratio.

Air and moisture stable salts – electrically conductive, low vapor pressure, liquid at room temp

Composed of 100% ions - large organic cat ions (~1018), small inorganic anions (much less)

Applications: Stable solvents, acid scavenging, cellulose processing, petrochemical synthesis, transport medium, many others

Dissolve wood & other organics (0.2 to 2mm, < 150C, < 30min)

Safety: Low vapor pressure and highly recyclable. Some are combustible. Many are toxic if released to the environment.

Air and moisture stable salts – electrically conductive, low vapor pressure, liquid at room temp

Composed of 100% ions - large organic cat ions (~1018), small inorganic anions (much less)

Applications: Stable solvents, acid scavenging, cellulose processing, petrochemical synthesis, transport medium, many others

Dissolve wood & other organics (0.2 to 2mm, < 150C, < 30min)

Safety: Low vapor pressure and highly recyclable. Some are combustible. Many are toxic if released to the environment.

Low Energy Pyrolysis of Wood – WO 2008/098036 A1

IL Pyrolysis: Wood dissolved in IL, 190/200C (20 min), 10% more tar, 12% less char , 10% higher/more selective yield of distillates than Fast Pyrolysis

Fast Pyrolysis: Pretreated w/ organic solvents, 425/500C (2s), tar, char, liquids (200+ intermediates)

Low Energy Glucose from Wood for BioEthanol– US 2008/053139

IL dissolved wood is easily hydrolyzed by enzymes to release Glucose for production of bioethanol

Polymers and Composites from Dissolved Wood – US 2008/053151

IL dissolved wood can be blended with co-polymers, polymers and functional additives to form eco-friendly (degradable) composites

Potential for Transportation Fuel Synthesis

IL Pyrolysis produces a much narrower range of hydrocarbons with higher potential for catalytic cracking to trans fuels

Sludge dissolution and homogenous processing to fuels

Catalytic Gasification of Dissolved Wood (Syngas)

Other undiscovered routes to aliphatics/aromatics

Petrochina – Gasoline by alkylation of C4 olefins with iso-butane in ionic liquids

Project Concepts

Low Energy Catalytic Biomass Syngas Gasification

Investigate routes with lower temps and pressures. Preprocessing.

Low Energy Catalytic Sludge Syngas Gasification

Investigate routes with lower temps and pressures. Preprocessing.

Catalytic Fuel Gas Gasification w/ Reforming

Steam vs. Autothermal, Modeling for feasibility (efficiency/cost)

Syngas Methods

Noncatalytic Supercritical: (450/600C, 4000/6000 PSIG)

Hi Cap Cost, Limited Biomass testing

Low Temp Catalytic (225/265C, 400/800 PSIG, Pt or Ni)

Simple organics, not tried on biomass

Fuel Gas Methods

Catalytic Hydrothermal (350C, 3000PSIG, Ru or Ni)

Good carbon conversion, biomass & sludge

Supercritical Carbon Catalyzed (600C, 3700PSIG)

Good carbon conversion, coke, ash, plugging

No suitable biomass gasification technology exists for FT

Require feedstock drying

Syngas must be cleaned of particulates/tars

H2/CO ratio must be fixed at 2

Feedstock variability significantly impacts gas quality.

Ability to gasify any carbonaceous feed is highly beneficial (residential)

May be a commercial product in itself

Mechanical

Grinder/Mixer

Dryer/

Pellitizer

Gasifier

Biomass

Res Solid Waste

Sewage

Sludge

Solvent?

Char/Slag

Cyclone/

Scrubber

Shift

Syngas

H2 Sensor

Steam Control

Temp Control

• Residential scale gasification as part of fundamental research
• Potential integration with Plug Power fuel cells when 5 KW system reaches $15k capex (~3 years)
• Methanol synthesis research - though limited applications given conversions needed
• OTHER?

• Slide on Plug Power (Saratoga Energy) financials – partner?
• Slide comparing liquid fuels to electricity – why methanol won’t work
• Picture of unit

Equipment needed (go to Fischer Scientific)

Site selection (NY, Lenox?)

New hires - skills needed (funding)

Partnerships to build

Compare w/ Community Power

Need to do gasification road show

Research Co2/N2 removal

Need to talk about CHP in gasifier vs FC

Energy storage? Charge batteries? What is efficiency of battery charging and usage?

“Microchannel Gasifier” – Gasify smaller amounts of feed with faster throughput???

http://www.eia.doe.gov/

Gas Generator

Efficiency: Unknown on Syngas

CHP: Gasifier yes, Generator no

Other: Use NG generator, off-the-shelf gasifier

Fuel Cell

Efficiency: > 30% Electric, > 80% Overall, ~ 60% w/ Gasifier

CHP: yes

Other: built in desulph, tar cracking

Liquid Fuels

Efficiency: ~ 50% overall with significant development

CHP: yes

Other: Microchannel, N2/CO2 removal

Gasification

Specs: Atmospheric, air blown, direct heated, 5kW

Numerous technologies available. Requires full scale evaluation process for down selection

http://noest.ecoundco.at/news/docs/1277_Biomass_Engineering_UK.pdf

http://www.croreyrenewable.com/index.html

http://www.associatedphysics.com/ProdServices/Gasification.html

http://www.phoenixenergy.net/

http://gasbiopower.com/home

http://www.primenergy.com/Gasification_idx.htm

Many more…

Gas Cleaning/Scrubbing

Initial: Cyclone (particulate), cold water quench followed by sand filter

Research more advanced cleaning technologies for later phases

N2/CO2 Removal

Enabling technology for residential scale (microchannel) Fischer Tropsch process

Membrane filter technology:

http://www.mtrinc.com/co2_removal_from_syngas.html