Germany: Biomass Utilisation New Process Transforms Biochar into Fuel Gas

A newly developed process converts organic waste into biochar, which can be transformed into fuel gas.

Munich/Germany — Due to their high moisture content and inhomogeneous composition it has been difficult to utilise the energy provided by biogenic residues resulting from landscape management waste products, garden waste and similar materials from agriculture, horticulture and food production. In a new process, these materials are first converted into biochar and then into a fuel gas for driving an engine-operated CHP unit. The units utilise a new entrained-flow gasifier that has been specially developed for small units.

The organic waste is converted using the hydrothermal carbonisation process (HTC). This works with pressure and heat in order to replicate the natural carbonisation process of biomass. According to the developers, this creates a high-quality biochar, whose calorific value is 70 % higher than that of the starting materials.

The biochar dust starting material is then converted in the entrained-flow gasifier into a carbon monoxide- and hydrogen-containing fuel gas that is suitable for driving engine-operated CHP units. The HTC plant and the entrained-flow gasifier have successfully completed testing on a pilot scale.

The developers are currently working on improving the process economically. Approaches include the future utilisation of waste heat from the processes and automating the process to a greater extent. The research project was led by Suncoal Industries in cooperation with the Technical University of Munich.

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