Green Building, Materials and Civil Engineering, 2014
ABSTRACT Cultivation of the hazel and almond is widespread in Italy, especially in those small an... more ABSTRACT Cultivation of the hazel and almond is widespread in Italy, especially in those small and medium enterprises that work in the confectionery industry. The residual wastes of these productions are mostly shells, of ligno-cellulosic material, very suitable for combustion. The first aim of this work was to carry out the chemical characterization of such wastes (LHV, C, H, N, O, etc) for their energy exploitation. These analyses were performed in the laboratory CIRDER of Viterbo, in accordance with UNI standards. These wastes were then used in a fluidized bed bench scale gasifier to evaluate the composition of the raw gas (H2, CO, CO2, CH4, TAR) obtained during steam gasification tests. The TAR removal efficiencies of two different methods were finally investigated experimentally: catalytic cracking in a secondary reactor with Ni/Al2O3 and scrubbing with vegetable sunflower oil.
International Journal of Renewable Energy Development (IJRED), 2015
One of the most important issues in biomass biocatalytic gasification is the with particular atte... more One of the most important issues in biomass biocatalytic gasification is the with particular attention to the Topping Atmosphere Residues (TARs). In this work, performedwithin the European 7FP UNIfHY project, we develops and validate experimentally a model which is able of predicting the bed biomass gasifier. Pine wood was chosen as biomass feedstock: the products obtained in pyrolysis tests are the relevant mo input. Hydrodynamics and chemical properties of the reacting system are considere two phase theory of fluidization, meanwhile the chemical model is based on the kinetic equations for the heterogeneous and homogenous reactions. The derived differentials equations for the gasifier at steady sta consecutively carried out using the Boubaker Polynomials Expansion Scheme by varying steam/biomass ratio (0.5 temperature (750-850°C).The comparison between models and experimental results showed th mole fractions and production rate including most of the representative TARs compounds.
ABSTRACT Fuel Cells fed with locally produced biogenous primary fuels can convert renewable energ... more ABSTRACT Fuel Cells fed with locally produced biogenous primary fuels can convert renewable energy into electricity with high efficiencies, in an environment friendly and CO2-neutral manner. The paper analyses different biomass conversion processes, gas conditioning technologies, fuel cells typologies and power plant configurations, focusing on the most suitable gasification and anaerobic digestion processes coupled to high temperature fuel cells. The paper shows that the conversion systems have to be analysed from global perspective including feedstock, processes and plant configurations in order to obtain high reliability and efficiency and low emissions. Indeed, the presence, in the raw produced gas, of particulate, organic and inorganic impurities renders the coupling of biomass-derived gases and Fuel Cells problematic, especially in the case of gasification. However, recently developed hot gas cleaning technologies could improve energy efficiency and lower operational costs for high-temperature utilizations of the biomass-derived gas. Finally, further research and demonstration activities are required in order to improve power plant reliability and reduce global capital cost, especially at the more suitable small scale size.
One of the most important issues in biomass gasification is the correct prediction of gasificatio... more One of the most important issues in biomass gasification is the correct prediction of gasification products, with particular attention to the Topping Atmosphere Residues (TARs). In this work, performed within the European 7FP UNIfHY project, develops and validates experimentally a model able of predicting the outputs, including TARs, of a steam-fluidized bed biomass gasifier. Pine wood was chosen as biomass feedstock: the products obtained in pyrolysis tests are the relevant model input. Hydrodynamics and chemical properties of the reacting system are considered: the hydrodynamic approach is based on the two phase theory of fluidization, meanwhile the chemical model is based on the kinetic equations for the heterogeneous and homogenous reactions. The derived differentials equations for the gasifier at steady state were implemented and solved via MATLAB. Simulations were carried out varying steam/biomass ratio (0.5-1) and operating temperature (750-850°C).The comparison between model...
The security of supply and climate change issues and the linked recent growth of the local power ... more The security of supply and climate change issues and the linked recent growth of the local power generation by means of renewable energies technologies are providing real opportunities for the development of small scale biomass gasification systems. The present paper reports the state of art of the small scale gasification power plants. Initial attention has been given to the different biomass feedstock suitable for gasification, focusing on residues with low cost and low environmental impact. Then the two major typologies of gasifiers (fixed and fluidized bed) have been analyzed in terms of raw gas yield, composition and tar and particulate content. The different cold and hot raw gas conditioning systems, highlighting their compatibility with the different gasification system, are described. High efficiency examples of power production by means of internal combustion engine, micro gas turbine, Solid Oxide Fuel Cell or a mix of them, both as realized plants and process simulated ones, have been then reported. The paper provides an overview of the different power plants in terms of efficiency, reliability and cost.
Among Renewable Energy Sources (RES), biomass represent one of the most common and suitable solut... more Among Renewable Energy Sources (RES), biomass represent one of the most common and suitable solution in order to contribute to the global energy supply and to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. The disposal of some residual biomass, as pruning from pine trees, represent a problem for agricultural and agro-industrial sectors. But if the residual biomass are used for energy production can become a resource. The most suitable energy conversion technology for the above-mentioned biomass is gasification process because the high C/N ratio and the low moisture content, obtained from the analysis. In this work a small-pilot bubbling-bed gasification plant has been designed, constructed and used in order to obtain, from the pine trees pruning, a syngas with low tar and char contents and high hydrogen content. The activities showed here are part of the activities carried out in the European 7FP UNIfHY project. In particular the aim of this work is to develop experimental test on a bench scale steam blown fluidized bed biomass gasifier. These tests will be utilized in future works for the simulations of a pilot scale steam fluidized bed gasifier (100 kWth) fed with different biomass feedstock. The results of the tests include produced gas and tar composition as well gas, tar and char yield. Tests on a bench scale reactor (8 cm I.D.) were carried out varying steam to biomass ratio from 0.5, 0.7 and 1 to 830°C.
Solar thermoelectric, even for small sizes, is continuing to garner more attention, by virtue of ... more Solar thermoelectric, even for small sizes, is continuing to garner more attention, by virtue of maturation of small size organic Rankine cycle generators, and of small size absorption chiller even if cost and reliability are still not optimal. Indeed, solar thermal power technology improvement would consent to stimulate an ambit already present in Europe and Italy with a well-known tradition and established leadership and efforts focused on a single solar technology would bring to positive effects concerning controllable electric and thermal energy uses. In this context, the present work tries to summarize the possible cycles and fluids that can be applied in a small solar thermal power plant. Despite a plethora of simulated and experimental cycles and fluids, the simplest cycle using near isentropic fluids seems to be the best choice for a small ORC-based CHP system, even if particular attention has to be done to all the sizing parameters (electricity, heating and cooling demand; area and type of solar collector; flow and temperature of the thermal carrier; flow, temperature and pressure of the working fluid; storage volumes; etc.). Indeed, efficiency and reliability of the reported systems are very different, but, it seems that global efficiency of even more than 10% and global cost of even less than 10,000 €/kW can be obtained even at size of few kW if adequate systems are constructed and managed.
Green Building, Materials and Civil Engineering, 2014
ABSTRACT Cultivation of the hazel and almond is widespread in Italy, especially in those small an... more ABSTRACT Cultivation of the hazel and almond is widespread in Italy, especially in those small and medium enterprises that work in the confectionery industry. The residual wastes of these productions are mostly shells, of ligno-cellulosic material, very suitable for combustion. The first aim of this work was to carry out the chemical characterization of such wastes (LHV, C, H, N, O, etc) for their energy exploitation. These analyses were performed in the laboratory CIRDER of Viterbo, in accordance with UNI standards. These wastes were then used in a fluidized bed bench scale gasifier to evaluate the composition of the raw gas (H2, CO, CO2, CH4, TAR) obtained during steam gasification tests. The TAR removal efficiencies of two different methods were finally investigated experimentally: catalytic cracking in a secondary reactor with Ni/Al2O3 and scrubbing with vegetable sunflower oil.
International Journal of Renewable Energy Development (IJRED), 2015
One of the most important issues in biomass biocatalytic gasification is the with particular atte... more One of the most important issues in biomass biocatalytic gasification is the with particular attention to the Topping Atmosphere Residues (TARs). In this work, performedwithin the European 7FP UNIfHY project, we develops and validate experimentally a model which is able of predicting the bed biomass gasifier. Pine wood was chosen as biomass feedstock: the products obtained in pyrolysis tests are the relevant mo input. Hydrodynamics and chemical properties of the reacting system are considere two phase theory of fluidization, meanwhile the chemical model is based on the kinetic equations for the heterogeneous and homogenous reactions. The derived differentials equations for the gasifier at steady sta consecutively carried out using the Boubaker Polynomials Expansion Scheme by varying steam/biomass ratio (0.5 temperature (750-850°C).The comparison between models and experimental results showed th mole fractions and production rate including most of the representative TARs compounds.
ABSTRACT Fuel Cells fed with locally produced biogenous primary fuels can convert renewable energ... more ABSTRACT Fuel Cells fed with locally produced biogenous primary fuels can convert renewable energy into electricity with high efficiencies, in an environment friendly and CO2-neutral manner. The paper analyses different biomass conversion processes, gas conditioning technologies, fuel cells typologies and power plant configurations, focusing on the most suitable gasification and anaerobic digestion processes coupled to high temperature fuel cells. The paper shows that the conversion systems have to be analysed from global perspective including feedstock, processes and plant configurations in order to obtain high reliability and efficiency and low emissions. Indeed, the presence, in the raw produced gas, of particulate, organic and inorganic impurities renders the coupling of biomass-derived gases and Fuel Cells problematic, especially in the case of gasification. However, recently developed hot gas cleaning technologies could improve energy efficiency and lower operational costs for high-temperature utilizations of the biomass-derived gas. Finally, further research and demonstration activities are required in order to improve power plant reliability and reduce global capital cost, especially at the more suitable small scale size.
One of the most important issues in biomass gasification is the correct prediction of gasificatio... more One of the most important issues in biomass gasification is the correct prediction of gasification products, with particular attention to the Topping Atmosphere Residues (TARs). In this work, performed within the European 7FP UNIfHY project, develops and validates experimentally a model able of predicting the outputs, including TARs, of a steam-fluidized bed biomass gasifier. Pine wood was chosen as biomass feedstock: the products obtained in pyrolysis tests are the relevant model input. Hydrodynamics and chemical properties of the reacting system are considered: the hydrodynamic approach is based on the two phase theory of fluidization, meanwhile the chemical model is based on the kinetic equations for the heterogeneous and homogenous reactions. The derived differentials equations for the gasifier at steady state were implemented and solved via MATLAB. Simulations were carried out varying steam/biomass ratio (0.5-1) and operating temperature (750-850°C).The comparison between model...
The security of supply and climate change issues and the linked recent growth of the local power ... more The security of supply and climate change issues and the linked recent growth of the local power generation by means of renewable energies technologies are providing real opportunities for the development of small scale biomass gasification systems. The present paper reports the state of art of the small scale gasification power plants. Initial attention has been given to the different biomass feedstock suitable for gasification, focusing on residues with low cost and low environmental impact. Then the two major typologies of gasifiers (fixed and fluidized bed) have been analyzed in terms of raw gas yield, composition and tar and particulate content. The different cold and hot raw gas conditioning systems, highlighting their compatibility with the different gasification system, are described. High efficiency examples of power production by means of internal combustion engine, micro gas turbine, Solid Oxide Fuel Cell or a mix of them, both as realized plants and process simulated ones, have been then reported. The paper provides an overview of the different power plants in terms of efficiency, reliability and cost.
Among Renewable Energy Sources (RES), biomass represent one of the most common and suitable solut... more Among Renewable Energy Sources (RES), biomass represent one of the most common and suitable solution in order to contribute to the global energy supply and to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. The disposal of some residual biomass, as pruning from pine trees, represent a problem for agricultural and agro-industrial sectors. But if the residual biomass are used for energy production can become a resource. The most suitable energy conversion technology for the above-mentioned biomass is gasification process because the high C/N ratio and the low moisture content, obtained from the analysis. In this work a small-pilot bubbling-bed gasification plant has been designed, constructed and used in order to obtain, from the pine trees pruning, a syngas with low tar and char contents and high hydrogen content. The activities showed here are part of the activities carried out in the European 7FP UNIfHY project. In particular the aim of this work is to develop experimental test on a bench scale steam blown fluidized bed biomass gasifier. These tests will be utilized in future works for the simulations of a pilot scale steam fluidized bed gasifier (100 kWth) fed with different biomass feedstock. The results of the tests include produced gas and tar composition as well gas, tar and char yield. Tests on a bench scale reactor (8 cm I.D.) were carried out varying steam to biomass ratio from 0.5, 0.7 and 1 to 830°C.
Solar thermoelectric, even for small sizes, is continuing to garner more attention, by virtue of ... more Solar thermoelectric, even for small sizes, is continuing to garner more attention, by virtue of maturation of small size organic Rankine cycle generators, and of small size absorption chiller even if cost and reliability are still not optimal. Indeed, solar thermal power technology improvement would consent to stimulate an ambit already present in Europe and Italy with a well-known tradition and established leadership and efforts focused on a single solar technology would bring to positive effects concerning controllable electric and thermal energy uses. In this context, the present work tries to summarize the possible cycles and fluids that can be applied in a small solar thermal power plant. Despite a plethora of simulated and experimental cycles and fluids, the simplest cycle using near isentropic fluids seems to be the best choice for a small ORC-based CHP system, even if particular attention has to be done to all the sizing parameters (electricity, heating and cooling demand; area and type of solar collector; flow and temperature of the thermal carrier; flow, temperature and pressure of the working fluid; storage volumes; etc.). Indeed, efficiency and reliability of the reported systems are very different, but, it seems that global efficiency of even more than 10% and global cost of even less than 10,000 €/kW can be obtained even at size of few kW if adequate systems are constructed and managed.
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Papers by M. Moneti