Process concept for flexible production of renewable transportation fuels and heat: Results for the pilot scale process validation tests

This publication summarizes the results of the process validation tests carried out in the EU-funded research project FLEXCHX "Flexible combined production of power, heat and transport fuels from renewable energy sources".

The validation tests were realized between March and June 2020 as three test weeks, including a total of 180 hours of gasification operation. The validation tests were performed using the pressurized Staged Fixed Bed (SXB) gasifier, followed by the hot filter unit and the two-stage catalytic reformer. Different woody residues and sunflower husks were used as the gasifier feedstocks. A smaller slipstream of the reformed syngas was cleaned in the final gas cleaning unit, compressed, and utilized in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The major part of the produced syngas was combusted in the hot water boiler connected to the district heating network of Espoo (Finland). All test facilities are located at the Bioruukki Piloting Centre of VTT.

Generally, the tests were very successful despite the challenging surrounding conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which hindered the planned participation of other project partners in the final test runs on-site at VTT and thus created additional challenges for VTT personnel. Based on these tests, it can be concluded that the whole process, as well as its key enabling technologies, have been developed to the targeted Technology Readiness Level of TRL5 and are technically ready for follow-on demonstration. Preliminary ideas for the realization of follow-on demonstration are also presented at the end of this report.