Small-scale biomass gasification CHP utilisation in industry: Energy and environmental evaluation

Abstract Biomass gasification is regarded as a sustainable energy technology used for waste management and producing renewable fuel. Using the techniques of life cycle assessment (LCA) and net energy analysis this study quantifies the energy, resource, and emission flows. The purpose of the research is to assess the net energy produced and potential environmental effects of biomass gasification using wood waste. This paper outlines a case study that uses waste wood from a factory for use in an entrained flow gasification CHP plant. Results show that environmental impacts may arise from toxicity, particulates, and resource depletion. Toxicity is a potential issue through the disposal of ash. Particulate matter arises from the combustion of syngas therefore effective gas cleaning and emission control is required. Assessment of resource depletion shows natural gas, electricity, fossil fuels, metals, and water are all crucial components of the system. The energy gain ratio is 4.71MJdelivered/MJprimary when only electricity is considered, this increases to 13.94MJdelivered/MJprimary if 100% of the available heat is utilised. Greenhouse gas emissions are very low (7–15 g CO2-e/kWhe) although this would increase if the biomass feedstock was not a waste and needed to be cultivated and transported. Overall small-scale biomass gasification is an attractive technology if the high capital costs and operational difficulties can be overcome, and a consistent feedstock source is available.

[1]  Reinout Heijungs,et al.  LCA of second generation bioethanol: A review and some issues to be resolved for good LCA practice , 2012 .

[2]  Rural Affairs.  UK Bioenergy Strategy. , 2012 .

[3]  Geoffrey P. Hammond,et al.  Industrial energy analysis, thermodynamics and sustainability , 2007 .

[4]  Geoffrey P. Hammond,et al.  Integrated appraisal of micro-generators: methods and applications , 2008 .

[5]  Bruno Peuportier,et al.  How to account for CO2 emissions from biomass in an LCA , 2007 .

[6]  Peter McKendry,et al.  Energy production from biomass (Part 3): Gasification technologies. , 2002, Bioresource technology.

[7]  A. Baky,et al.  Biomass from agriculture in small-scale combined heat and power plants : A comparative life cycle assessment , 2011 .

[8]  Geoffrey P. Hammond,et al.  Engineering sustainability: thermodynamics, energy systems, and the environment , 2004 .

[9]  F. Creutzig,et al.  Using Attributional Life Cycle Assessment to Estimate Climate‐Change Mitigation Benefits Misleads Policy Makers , 2014 .

[10]  Geoffrey P. Hammond,et al.  Interdisciplinary perspectives on environmental appraisal and valuation techniques , 2006 .

[11]  Peter McKendry,et al.  Energy production from biomass (Part 1): Overview of biomass. , 2002, Bioresource technology.

[12]  Francesco Cherubini,et al.  GHG balances of bioenergy systems – Overview of key steps in the production chain and methodological concerns , 2010 .

[13]  M. A. Elsayed,et al.  CARBON AND ENERGY BALANCES FOR A RANGE OF BIOFUELS OPTIONS , 2003 .

[14]  F. Roberts.  The aims, methods and uses of energy accounting , 1978 .

[15]  R. Frischknecht,et al.  Implementation of Life Cycle Impact Assessment Methods. ecoinvent report No. 3, v2.2 , 2010 .

[16]  Peter McKendry,et al.  Energy production from biomass (Part 2): Conversion technologies. , 2002, Bioresource technology.

[17]  Göran Finnveden,et al.  Methodological aspects of life cycle assessment of integrated solid waste management systems , 1999 .

[18]  Alice Bows,et al.  Understanding Greenhouse Gas Balances of Bioenergy Systems , 2013 .

[19]  J. Spitzer,et al.  Environmental burdens over the entire life cycle of a biomass CHP plant , 1998 .

[20]  Mary Ann Curran,et al.  The international workshop on electricity data for life cycle inventories , 2005 .

[21]  G De Feo,et al.  Energy from gasification of solid wastes. , 2003, Waste management.

[22]  Mark E. Schaffer,et al.  Economic development and the demand for energy: A historical perspective on the next 20 years , 2012 .

[23]  M. Verloo,et al.  Characteristics of wood ash and influence on soil properties and nutrient uptake: an overview. , 2001, Bioresource technology.

[24]  A. Bridgwater.  The technical and economic feasibility of biomass gasification for power generation , 1995 .

[25]  Anna Björklund,et al.  Life cycle assessment of fuels for district heating: A comparison of waste incineration, biomass- and natural gas combustion , 2007 .

[26]  S. Souza,et al.  Economic Feasibility of Biomass Gasification for Small-Scale Electricity Generation in Brazil , 2011 .

[27]  Harrie Knoef,et al.  Handbook biomass gasification , 2005 .

[28]  A. Bula,et al.  Gasification of biomass wastes in an entrained flow gasifier: Effect of the particle size and the residence time , 2010 .

[29]  Tim Lieuwen,et al.  Synthesis Gas Combustion : Fundamentals and Applications , 2009 .

[30]  A. V. Bridgewater,et al.  Biomass fast pyrolysis , 2004 .

[31]  V. Kirubakaran,et al.  A review on gasification of biomass , 2009 .

[32]  G. P. Hammond,et al.  Greenhouse gas reporting for biofuels: A comparison between the RED, RTFO and PAS2050 methodologies , 2011 .

[33]  Malcolm Slesser,et al.  Energy in the economy , 1978 .

[34]  Geoffrey P. Hammond,et al.  Barriers to and drivers for UK bioenergy development , 2011 .

[35]  Hans-Jürgen Dr. Klüppel,et al.  The Revision of ISO Standards 14040-3 - ISO 14040: Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Principles and framework - ISO 14044: Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Requirements and guidelines , 2005 .