Upscaling Effects on Char Conversion in Dual Fluidized Bed Gasification

Dual fluidized bed gasification (DFBG) is an emerging technology that can be employed as a first step in the transformation of lignocellulosic materials into transportation fuels such as substitute natural gas, dimethyl ether, methanol, and Fischer–Tropsch diesel. The present work aims at (i) identifying challenges that arise in the upscaling of DFBG plants, (ii) determining whether the increased fuel residence time that results from the upscaling is sufficient for process optimization, and (iii) evaluating the impact of measures to mechanically control the fuel residence time. The investigations use a semiempirical 1-dimensional model, which is validated with industrial-scale measurements. The scope includes both DFBG units delivering gas as the main product and those in which the product gas is a byproduct in a heat and power plant. Moreover, both new designs and retrofit cases of existing CFB combustion plants (i.e., adding a gasifier to the return leg) are considered. Modeling results show that althou...