BEST
Bioenergy and
Sustainable Technologies
Publications
Other papers | 2017
State of the art dual fluidized bed gasification of biomass in industrial scale
Kuba M, Kirnbauer F, Hofbauer H. State of the art dual fluidized bed gasification of biomass in industrial scale. 5th Central European Biomass Conference (oral presentation). January 2017, Graz, Austria.
Peer reviewed papers | 2017
Techno-economic assessment of hydrogen production based on dual fluidized bed biomass steam gasification, biogas steam reforming, and alkaline water electrolysis processes
Yao J, Kraussler M, Benedikt F, Hofbauer H. Techno-economic assessment of hydrogen production based on dual fluidized bed biomass steam gasification, biogas steam reforming, and alkaline water electrolysis processes. Energy Conversion and Management. 1 August 2017;145: 278-292.
Conference presentations and posters | 2017
The Green Parking Area – Utilization of urban parking areas for cultivation of microalgae
Zellinger M, Riepl R, Lichtenegger K, Meixner K, Drosg B, Enigl M, Theuretzbacher F, Schipfer F. The Green Parking Area – Utilization of urban parking areas for cultivation of microalgae. Presentation at the Eco City Summit 2017, Melbourne, Australia, 17. June 2017.
Other Publications | 2017
The Green Parking Space – Nutzung von städtischen Verkehrsflächen für die Produktion von Biomasse
Schipfer F, Lichtenegger K, Zellinger M et al. The Green Parking Space – Nutzung von städtischen Verkehrsflächen für die Produktion von Biomasse. Präsentation. First Vienna Vertical Farming Meetup 01.03.2017, Wien.
Other papers | 2017
Upscaling and Operation of a Biomass Derived Fischer-Tropsch Pilot Plant Producing 1 Barrel Per Day
Loipersböck J, Weber G, Rauch R, Gruber H, Groß P, Hofbauer H. Upscaling and Operation of a Biomass Derived Fischer-Tropsch Pilot Plant Producing 1 Barrel Per Day. 25th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (oral presentation). June 2017, Stockholm, Sweden.
Other papers | 2017
Wasserstoff aus Biomasse - Stand der Technik und Perspektiven
Hofbauer H, Bosch K, Kraussler M. Wasserstoff aus Biomasse - Stand der Technik und Perspektiven. 5th Central European Biomass Conference (oral presentation). January 2017, Graz, Austria.
Peer reviewed papers | 2016
2250-h long term operation of a water gas shift pilot plant processing tar-rich product gas from an industrial scale dual fluidized bed biomass steam gasification plant
Kraussler M, Binder M, Hofbauer H. 2250-h long term operation of a water gas shift pilot plant processing tar-rich product gas from an industrial scale dual fluidized bed biomass steam gasification plant. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 27 April 2016;41(15): 6247-6258.
Peer reviewed papers | 2016
Adsorptive Desulfurization: Fast On-Board Regeneration and the Influence of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester on Desulfurization and in Situ Regeneration Performance of a Silver-Based Adsorbent
Neubauer R, Weinlaender C, Kienzl N, Schroettner H, Hochenauer C. Adsorptive Desulfurization: Fast On-Board Regeneration and the Influence of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester on Desulfurization and in Situ Regeneration Performance of a Silver-Based Adsorbent. Energy and Fuels. 16 June 2016;30(6): 5174-5182.
Adsorptive on-board desulfurization units require a high desulfurization and regeneration performance for a wide range of fuels to keep them small and ensure long maintenance intervals. A novel thermal regeneration strategy was investigated in this work, fulfilling all requirements for in situ on-board regeneration. In this strategy, a temperature-controlled flow rate (TCFR) of air was used to control the temperature inside the adsorber. With this dynamic approach, the regeneration time was reduced significantly in comparison to other thermal regeneration strategies. The novel regeneration strategy was tested using Ag–Al2O3 as an adsorbent to desulfurize a benzothiophen (BT)-enriched road diesel (300 ppmw of total sulfur). A commercial diesel containing fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) was used to evaluate the fuel flexibility regarding desulfurization and regeneration performance. In the case of 6.63 wt % FAME and 300 ppmw of sulfur, the breakthrough adsorption capacity of sulfur decreased from 1.04 to 0.17 mg/g. In TCFR regeneration experiments, the breakthrough adsorption capacity was restored to over 94% in the case of both fuels. Thereby, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of the regenerated adsorbent decreased by only 1.5%, and negligible carbon deposits were detected.
Other Publications | 2016
Air pollution reduction due to the adoption of high efficiency small scale pellet boilers characterized by low emissions
Chiesa M, Monteleone B, Venuta ML, Maffeis G, Greco S, Cherubini A, Schmidl C, Finco A, Gerosa G, Ballarin Denti A. Air pollution reduction due to the adoption of high efficiency small scale pellet boilers characterized by low emissions. Biomass and Bioenergy. 1 July 2016;90: 262-272.
Other papers | 2016
An investigation on the behavior of impurities over a water gas shift stage using biomass derived syngas for hydrogen production
Loipersböck J, Lenzi M, Rauch R, Hofbauer H. An investigation on the behavior of impurities over a water gas shift stage using biomass derived syngas for hydrogen production. iSGA 2016 - 5th International Symposium on Gasification and its Applications (invited lecture). November/December 2016, Busan, Korea.
Other Publications | 2016
Analisi del ciclo di vita di caldaie a pellet di bassa potenza caratterizzate da alta efficienza e ridotte emissioni
Monteleone B, Chiesa M, Marzuoli R, Verma VK, Schwarz M, Carlon E, Schmidl C, Ballarin Denti A. Analisi del ciclo di vita di caldaie a pellet di bassa potenza caratterizzate da alta efficienza e ridotte emissioni. Agriforenergy. February 2016.
Peer reviewed papers | 2016
Analysis of optimization potential in commercial biomass gasification plants using process simulation
Wilk V, Hofbauer H. Analysis of optimization potential in commercial biomass gasification plants using process simulation. Fuel Processing Technology. 01 December 2016;141: 138-147.
Peer reviewed papers | 2016
Apparent kinetics of the catalyzed water-gas shift reaction in synthetic wood gas
Plaza A, Fail S, Cortés JA, Föttinger K, Diaz N, Rauch R, Hofbauer H. Apparent kinetics of the catalyzed water-gas shift reaction in synthetic wood gas. Chemical Engineering Journal. 1 October 2016;301: 222-228.
Peer reviewed papers | 2016
Associated effects of storage and mechanical pre-treatments of microalgae biomass on biomethane yields in anaerobic digestion
Gruber-Brunhumer MR, Jerney J, Zohar E, Nussbaumer M, Hieger C, Bromberger P, Bochmann G, Jirsa F, Schagerl M, Obbard JP, Fuchs W, Drosg B. Associated effects of storage and mechanical pre-treatments of microalgae biomass on biomethane yields in anaerobic digestion. Biomass and Bioenergy. October 2016;93: 259-268.
Reports | 2016
Austria – Biofuels Technology, Research and Development
Bacovsky D, Sonnleitner A. Austria – Biofuels Technology, Research and Development. IEA Bioenergy Task 39 Newsletter. December 2016.
Other Publications | 2016
beReal - Comparative assessment of EN standard test methods and new real-life test methods for biomass room heating appliances
Schmidl C, Reichert G, Schwabl M, Stressler H, Sturmlechner R, Haslinger W. beReal - Comparative assessment of EN standard test methods and new real-life test methods for biomass room heating appliances. 24th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (poster). June 2016, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Other Publications | 2016
beReal - Development of a New Test Method for Firewood Roomheaters Reflecting Real Life Operation
Reichert G, Hartmann H, Haslinger W, Oehler H, Schmidl C, Schwabl M, Stressler H, Sturmlechner R, Woehler M. beReal - Development of a New Test Method for Firewood Roomheaters Reflecting Real Life Operation. 24th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (poster). June 2016, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Other Publications | 2016
Bidirektionale Einbindung dezentraler Einspeiser in Wärmenetze: hydraulische, wärmetechnische und regelungstechnische Aspekte
LichteneggerK, Muschick D, Gölles M, Höftberger E, Leitner A, Wöss D, Reiterer D. Bidirektionale Einbindung dezentraler Einspeiser in Wärmenetze: hydraulische, wärmetechnische und regelungstechnische Aspekte. Vortrag auf der Fachtagung Wärmenetze der Zukunft (2016 in Salzburg).
Reports | 2016
Biofuels in transport
Bacovsky D. Biofuels in transport. WPC Guide to Biofuels. September 2016.
Peer reviewed papers | 2016
Biological biogas upgrading capacity of a hydrogenotrophic community in a trickle-bed reactor
Rachbauer L, Voitl G, Bochmann G, Fuchs W. Biological biogas upgrading capacity of a hydrogenotrophic community in a trickle-bed reactor. Applied Energy. 15 October 2016;180: 483-490.
Peer reviewed papers | 2016
Biomass-Based Heating and Hot Water Supply Systems for Prefabricated, High Energy Performance Houses: a Comparison of System Configurations and Control Strategies
Carlon E, Schwarz M, Prada A, Verma V, Baratieri M, Gasparella A, Schmidl C. Biomass-Based Heating and Hot Water Supply Systems for Prefabricated, High Energy Performance Houses: a Comparison of System Configurations and Control Strategies. 12th REHVA World Congress CLIMA 2016 (full paper review and oral presentation). 22 May 2016, Aalborg, Denmark.
Nowadays prefabricated houses are becoming increasingly popular, thanks to their low cost and high energy performance. Heating systems installed in these houses should be carefully designed and controlled, to ensure sufficient thermal comfort while maintaining low fuel consumptions. This study presents the simulation of different system configurations and control strategies for a pre-fabricated house, located in Lower Austria. The house is heated by a 6 kW pellet boiler directly connected to a floor heating system, in a configuration without buffer storage tank. Using the TRNSYS simulation suite, a coupled simulation of the house and its heating and hot water supply system was set up, calibrated and validated with reference to monitoring data. As monitoring data evidenced that the control strategy of the heating system is not ideal to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature during the whole day, two improved strategies were simulated over the heating season and evaluated in terms of thermal comfort, pellet consumption and boiler’s efficiency. Moreover, to better understand the influence of the system configuration, simulations have been repeated considering another heat distribution system (radiators instead of floor heating). Results show that the radiators’ network, if adequately controlled, reduces by 85% the total discomfort time. In addition, the pellet boiler mainly operates in load modulation regime, leading to lower pellet supply rates and therefore to lower pellet consumptions (18% less than floor heating). However, the lower operational loads and frequent ignitions result in a slightly lower efficiency of the pellet boiler (4% less than the configuration with floor heating.
Peer reviewed papers | 2016
Characterization of biochars produced from pyrolysis of pelletized agricultural residues
Colantoni A, Evic N, Lord R, Retschitzegger S, Proto A, Gallucci F, Monarca D. Characterization of biochars produced from pyrolysis of pelletized agricultural residues. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 1 October 2016;64: 187-194.
Biochars produced from pelletized grape vine (GV) and sunflower husk (SFH) agricultural residues were studied by pyrolysis in a batch reactor at 400 and 500 °C. Chemical and physical evolution of the biomass under pyrolysis conditions was determined and the products were characterized, including the main gaseous organic components. Results showed a decrease in solid biochar yield with increasing temperature. Biochar is defined as a “porous carbonaceous solid” produced by thermochemical conversion of organic materials in an oxygen depleted atmosphere, which has physiochemical properties suitable for the safe and long-term storage of carbon in the environment and, potentially, soil improvement. The aim of this work is to improve the knowledge and acceptability of alternative use of the biochar gained from agro-forestry biomass residuals, such as grape vine and sunflower husks, by means of modern chemical and physical characterization tools.
Other papers | 2016
Cold flow modelling of char concentration in the recirculated bed material stream of a dual fluidized bed steam gasification system
Kraft S, Kirnbauer F, Hofbauer H. Cold flow modelling of char concentration in the recirculated bed material stream of a dual fluidized bed steam gasification system. Fluidization XV. 22-27 May 2016, Quebec, Canada.
The dual fluidized bed (DFB) steam gasification technology of biomass was developed at Vienna University of Technology and is well-established for transforming biomass into a product gas which can be used for further applications. The DFB steam gasification reactor consists of a gasification chamber (bubbling bed, fluidized with steam) and a combustion chamber (turbulent bed, fluidized with air). Biomass is fed into the gasification chamber and gets in contact with the bed material, typically Olivine, at about 840°C. The released volatiles leave the gasification reactor as product gas. A part of the solid residue, called char, flows with the bed material via a chute to the combustion chamber where it is burnt with air. The bed material is heated up, separated from the flue gas stream in a cyclone and flows back to the gasification reactor via a loop seal where it provides the heat for devolatilization and drying of the biomass. The movement of the char is crucial since a sufficient amount has to flow to the combustion chamber and burn to provide enough energy for bed material heat-up. Up to now little is known about the char concentration in the bed material recirculation stream (or short recirculation stream) and its influencing variables. Therefore, a cold flow model, operated with ambient air, was constructed to study the influence of various parameters on the char concentration in the recirculation stream. Bronze is used as bed material since is matches closest to the scaling criteria. The char is also scaled; polyethylene is used as model char.
The cold flow model, see Figure 1 for the flowsheet, consists of a “gasification chamber” which corresponds to the gasification chamber in the hot plant and is as well operated as a bubbling bed. Via a chute the recirculation stream moves to a rotary valve which enables to set a fixed recirculation rate and make it independent from the following pneumatic conveying. Then, gas and solids are separated in a cyclone and the recirculation stream finally flows back to the gasification chamber. After the loop seal samples are taken for investigation of the model char concentration in the recirculation stream. In the present study the influence of fluidization rate in the gasification chamber, bed material recirculation rate and model char mass in the system on the char concentration in the recirculation stream are investigated. It was found that the model char particles show a flotsam behavior. Higher fluidization rates increase the model char concentration in the recirculation stream because of better mixing, whereas the bed material recirculation rate has only little influence. Doubling and tripling the overall char mass in the system did not lead to a doubling or tripling model char concentration in the recirculation stream. The present observations are helping to better understand the ongoing phenomena inside of the dual fluidized bed gasification reactor and provide knowledge to further optimize it.
Conference presentations and posters | 2016
Detailed Reaction Schemes and Product Characterization Applied to Pyrolysis of a Single Spruce Particle
Andrés Anca-Couce, Peter Sommersacher, Robert Scharler, Christoph Hochenauer. Detailed Reaction Schemes and Product Characterization Applied to Pyrolysis of a Single Spruce Particle. 24rd European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (oral presentation).
Peer reviewed papers | 2016
Dominating high temperature corrosion mechanism in low alloy steels in wood chips fired boilers
Gruber T, Retschitzegger S, Scharler R, Obernberger I. Dominating high temperature corrosion mechanism in low alloy steels in wood chips fired boilers. Energy and Fuels. 17 March 2016;30(3): 2385-2394.
Ash related problems such as slagging, fouling, and high temperature corrosion in biomass fired boilers are still insufficiently explored due to the complexity of the underlying processes. High temperature corrosion of low alloy steels like 13CrMo4-5 has already been investigated in plants firing chemically untreated wood chips. In this earlier work it has been suggested that the oxidation of the steel is the dominating mechanism in the material temperature range between 450 and 550 °C. Unfortunately the exponential dependence of the material degradation on the flue gas temperature also found within this work cannot be explained with the proposed corrosion mechanism. To determine the dominating corrosion mechanism, additionally test runs have been carried out in a specially designed drop tube reactor. To investigate the time-dependent corrosion behavior of 13CrMo4-5, a newly developed mass loss probe was applied under several constant parameter setups. In addition to these measurements, the time-dependent oxidation of 13CrMo4-5 under air was investigated in a muffle furnace. To gain relevant information regarding the corrosion mechanism prevailing, the deposits as well as the corrosion products have been examined subsequently to the test runs by means of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analyses. With the experimental data gained it could be shown that the dominating corrosion mechanism strongly depends on the conditions prevailing (e.g., steel temperature, flue gas temperature, and velocity) and can either be the oxidation of the steel by gaseous O2 and H2O or a combination of oxidation and active Cl-induced oxidation.