The effect of biomass drying on the overall efficiency of combined production of transportation fuels and heat by steam gasification and ft-synthesis

Sanna Tuomi, Esa Kurkela, Ilkka Hannula, C. G. Berg

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference article in proceedingsScientific

    Abstract

    In this study, we examined the effect of biomass drying on the overall efficiency of the BTL process in combined production of FT product and heat. The proposed BTL process is based on steam-blown dual fluidized-bed gasification of biomass, simplified gas clean-up and once-through FT synthesis. Biomass drying was found to have a significant effect on both the FT wax yield and the overall thermal efficiency of the BTL plant. According to the calculations carried out in Aspen Plus, one percentage-point reduction in biomass moisture content (after drying) increases the FT conversion efficiency by 0.3-0.4 %-points. The highest yield of FT liquids (52-55 %) was achieved when biomass was dried to 8 wt-% moisture content. Among the dryer options studied, Kumera’s innovative twostage drying concept that combines a belt dryer and an indirectly-heated steam dryer of Kumera was the most feasible option due to its low energy consumption. Using the two-stage dryer, 86-87 % overall thermal efficiencies were reached. Moreover, drying tests to below 15 wt-% moisture content were carried out at the Kumera pilot plant using crushed forest residues and willow wood as feedstock. Excellent results were obtained demonstrating stable operation, high energy efficiency and low gas-phase emissions.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, EUBCE 2018
    PublisherETA-Florence Renewable Energies
    Pages521-527
    ISBN (Electronic)978-88-89407-18-9
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2018
    MoE publication typeB3 Non-refereed article in conference proceedings
    Event26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, EUBCE 2018
    - Bella center, Copenhagen, Denmark
    Duration: 14 May 201817 May 2018

    Conference

    Conference26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, EUBCE 2018
    Abbreviated titleEUBCE 2018
    Country/TerritoryDenmark
    CityCopenhagen
    Period14/05/1817/05/18

    Funding

    The authors wish to acknowledge Business Finland, VTT and the Finnish industries for the financial support through the BTL2030 project.

    Keywords

    • Biomass
    • Biomass to liquid (BtL)
    • Drying
    • Dual fluidized bed
    • Fischer Tropsch
    • Gasification

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