Syngas-fed cogeneration for the tertiary sector: lessons learned from the Synbiose project

Within the strategies for sustainable transition and decarbonization, biomass gasification represents an interesting solution to yield renewable fuels that can be used in internal combustion plants for power and combined heat and power (CHP) generation. The use of syngas instead of original biomasses allows industrial internal combustion engines to achieve higher conversion efficiencies and lower pollutant emissions. However, limited experience on real operative plants has led to a lower diffusion of the technology than expected. To investigate the real behavior of a gasifier fed with lignocellulosic woodchips and coupled with a CHP engine, a commercial-grade system has been installed in the Science and Technologies Campus of the University of Parma. The aim of the research project Synbiose was to gain a better understanding of the processes to enhance the application of small-scale gasification and CHP plants in the tertiary sector. Operating parameters of the system - properly instrumented - have been monitored to analyze its performance and to improve its maintainability. In order to investigate the effects of woodchips from different tree species on system performance, a second smaller plant was built and has been used for a specific experimental activity. An extended modelling study has been developed to enhance the comprehension of the gasification process and of the plant operation. A hybrid thermochemical model has been used for the simulation of the gasification process, while a lumped parameter dynamic model and multiphase CFD simulations have been applied and integrated to analyze the operation of the whole plant. The aim of the paper is to summarize the results of these research activities highlighting the issues that arose during the project with specific reference to the implemented solutions.