My transnational access with BRISK2 project entitled “Production of syngas with updraft gasification and enrichment in Membrane reactor” took place in ENEA Trisaia Research centre under the mentorship of Dr. Francesco Zimbardi. The objective was to gather data of updraft gasification (PRAGA rig) of almond and hazelnut shells using the air with steam as gasifying agent and analysing the produced syngas composition (H2, CO, CO, CnHm and tars) along the height of the gasifier. Furthermore, the syngas was upgraded in the Pd/Ag membrane reactor (MERES rig) and also an ultra-pure hydrogen was obtained.
Updraft gasification was performed in a pilot-scale facility where the main component is a fixed bed, authothermal, updraft gasifier, operated slightly above atmospheric conditions. The gasifier is cylindrically shaped with a height of 2.4 m and diameter of 0.5 m. The inner wall of the gasifier is coated with 0.1 m of refractory material. The flow of the gasifying agent is introduced at the lower part of the gasifier, below the grate, and it is possible to use air, oxygen and steam or mixtures of them. The gasifier is equipped with 11 temperature measuring points and 6 gas composition and tars measuring points at different height from the grate. Pd/Ag membrane reactor with capacity of 0.25 m3/h syngas flow was used to generate the ultra-pure hydrogen and improve the syngas quality by injecting the steam and indicate the Water gas shift reaction.
Experiments were carried out without significant problems, while the process was effective and stable. Constant mass flows of biomass, air and steam were prescribed through the whole gasification process. The results showed that the gasification of the almond shells yields higher hydrogen percentage. Two diagrams, one for almond shell and one for hazelnut shell, with gasification measurements results are attached to this report. Results from the Pd/Ag membrane reactor indicate higher hydrogen yield at higher working temperature and pressure, while one 3D diagram is attached to this report. Experimental data acquired during the visit are going to be used in future mathematical modelling of the updraft gasification and hydrogen enrichment process. It can be concluded that this transnational access has been successful with respect to the objectives defined at the application stage.
Almond_shell
Almond_shell_results
Hazelnut_shell
Hazelnut_shell_results
MERES_control_system
MERES_reactors
MERES_results
MERES_rig
PRAGA_control_room
PRAGA_plant
Research_team
Syngas_and_tars_sampling
