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Wood Gasification
Wood gasification is based on the pyrolysis process, where gasifying particles are extracted from wood biomass at high temperatures and with controlled oxygen intake. Wood gas, generated by this low-oxygen combustion and gasification, is purified from soot, coal and other particles, and after that it can be efficiently used in, e.g. internal combustion engines.
One of the most typical applications for this energy is combined heat and power generation (CHP). Wood gas contains plenty of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and does not generate any emissions hazardous for the environment when burning. Wood gas is a particularly environment-friendly renewable and emission-free energy source.
Challenges
Wood gasification technologies have been tested and developed for over 100 years, however challenges in managing a controlled and sufficiently clean gasification process have complicated the implementation of commercial applications, e.g. power plant solutions. The greatest obstacle to the development has been tar resulting from the pyrolysis process, which has been damaging engines during long-term use. Furthermore, wood chip quality, in particular its moisture content, has been setting tough requirements to the selection and handling of chopped biomass.
Solution – a Novel Pyrolysis Method
GASEK’s wood gasifier is a so-called co-current gasifier; it is based on the pyrolysis technique, which has been developed and refined for 30 years. The processed biomass is moving in the reactor in the same direction as the gasification air, which is fed in quantities that are considerably lower than is required for combustion.
The greatest differences vis-à-vis the old and problematic technique can be found in the temperature and the product gas purification methods. The key factor in the gasification process is achieving a high temperature (800-1200°C), which prevents formation of damaging tar compounds. This results in tar compounds cracking into lighter fractions, which do not cause engine problems. Wood gas that is run through the GASEK purification line is completely colourless and odourless, and its combustion causes no hazardous particle emissions.
Clean wood gas provides a possibility for manufacturing efficient, maintenance-friendly and long-serving power plant solutions. A number of international patents have been obtained for the GASEK gasification technology.