Integration of biomass gasification with MCFC

Biomass gasification, integrated with molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) represents an alternative to the direct use of fossil fuel energy. Integration of both technologies has been under investigation for quite long time [Kivisaari T, Bjorbom P, Sylwan C. Power Sources 2002;104:115–24[1]]. Fuel cell technology is one of the most interesting energy conversion system offering nearly zero emissions, flexibility of operation and high conversion efficiency. Another area of growing interest in energy systems is the use of biomass as a replacement for fossil fuels. In this study, atmospheric gasification technology was selected rather than pressurized gasification, used on most analysis, because the latter is considered not fully developed and a wide spread consensus has yet to be reached for medium-small application [EC project No. ENK5-CT-2002-20647 WP8.2 Report; April 2004[2]]. A hot gas clean-up process was selected to prevent any liquid waste streams from leaving the plant and any steam from condensation in the syngas. Type and amount of impurities, chosen for the study, cover a broad range of practical interest.This paper analyzes an atmospheric gasifier system coupled with an MCFC through a specifically tailored high temperature clean-up process. Tar removal, gas clean-up and syngas compression are the major process blocks involved in such a process. The investment costs estimated are higher than previously published data due to the complexity involved. Further optimization of the steam gasifier to maximize H2+COH2+CO content and to minimize tar formation is recommended to render the process more economical attractive.