Biomass Cleanup Engine Tar Reduction via Rich Combustion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomass gasification systems face high costs due to expensive tar purification technologies, which hinder the commercial utilization of syngas for power generation and chemical synthesis, and lack efficient methods for orderly startup and shutdown of integrated systems.
Innovation Solution
An integrated biomass conversion system comprising a syngas generator, a cleanup engine operating at high temperatures and rich combustion conditions to break down tars, and a power producing engine, along with a controller for managing the startup and shutdown sequence of the system components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If existing mature tar purification technologies are used, then tar content in producer gas is reduced to acceptable levels, but the cost of gas cleanup becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine to achieve rich combustion (air-fuel ratio less than stoichiometric) and high intake temperatures. These parameter changes enable the engine to function as a tar purification device, breaking down tars into smaller molecules that do not cause fouling, while simultaneously generating power to offset cleanup costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal combustion engine serves dual functions: it generates power from syngas while simultaneously purifying the gas by breaking down tars. The engine's own combustion process is utilized for tar destruction, eliminating the need for separate expensive purification equipment. The system essentially purifies itself through the engine's operational characteristics.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If hot combustion is used to break down tars, then tar fouling is prevented, but the risk of autoignition and engine damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses rich combustion where the air-fuel ratio is deliberately kept below the stoichiometric level. This partial combustion approach generates sufficient heat to break down tars but limits the total oxygen available, preventing complete combustion and controlling the temperature rise. The rich mixture ensures that not all fuel ignites, thereby controlling heat release and protecting the engine from damage while still achieving tar destruction.
3Ease of manufacture
If an integrated biomass conversion system with multiple components is implemented, then tar purification cost is reduced, but the complexity of startup and shutdown procedures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a structured startup sequence where the syngas generator is started first and allowed to reach operational temperature and stable syngas production before starting the internal combustion engine. This preliminary action ensures that when the engine starts, it receives properly conditioned syngas, preventing cold start issues and ensuring immediate effective tar purification. The shutdown sequence similarly follows a predetermined order to maintain system reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Significantly reduces tar purification costs, enabling the commercial utilization of biomass gasification for power generation and chemical synthesis, while ensuring orderly operation and maintenance of the integrated system.
Implementation Method 1
The idea of using hot, rich combustion in an internal combustion engine as a cleanup system to break down tar into small molecule hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 2
The purpose of hot combustion (above the tar dew point) is to break down the tars while they are still in the gaseous phase
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated biomass conversion system and a method of starting and shutting down the system are disclosed. The integrated biomass conversion system comprises a syngas generator, such as a gasifier, a cleanup engine and a syngas utilization system, which could be a power producing engine or a chemical reactor for chemical or fuel synthesis. The cleanup engine operates rich and at high temperatures so that the tars exhausted by the syngas generators are destroyed and not allowed to foul other components. An orderly sequence to start and shut down the integrated biomass conversion system is disclosed.