This paper presents the results of a system simulation study. The HYSYS 3.1 - ASPEN code has been used for simulation. The system consists of a fixed bed gasifier followed by reforming and clean-up units. The produced hydrogen gas is fed to a PEM fuel cell. The gasified hydrocarbons are hazelnut shells, bark, rice straw, animal waste, and two lignites. Hydrocarbon properties, gasification, and reforming process parameters all affect the system efficiency. The effect of the moisture content and oxygen to carbon ratio of the hydrocarbon feeds on the fuel processing and overall system efficiencies are presented. The overall efficiency of the system increases with increasing hydrocarbon feed oxygen to carbon ratio; this tendency is more evident at higher moisture levels.

Issue Section:
Research Papers
Keywords:
biomass, gasification, PEMFC, hydrogen economy, coal gasification, proton exchange membrane fuel cells, bioenergy conversion
Topics:
Biomass, Coal, Fuel cells, Fuel gasification, Hydrogen, Proton exchange membrane fuel cells, Simulation, Fuel processing
1.
Tsamba
,
A. J.
, Biomass Gasification for Sustainable Development, http://exergy.se/goran/hig/ses/01/biomass/http://exergy.se/goran/hig/ses/01/biomass/
2.
Mc Kendry
,
P.
, 2002, “
Energy Production From Biomass Gasification Technologies (Part3)-Review paper
,”
Biores. Tech.
,
83
, pp.
55
–
63
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
3.
Wood Gas As Engine Fuel, FAO Forestry Department, http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/T0512E/http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/T0512E/
4.
Kivisaari
,
T.
,
Björnbom
,
P.
, and
Sylwan
,
C.
, 2002, “
Studies of Biomass Fueled MCFC Systems
,”
J. Power Sources
0378-7753,
104
, pp.
115
–
124
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
5.
Dayton
,
D. C.
, 2001, “
Fuel Cell Integration- A Study of the Impacts of Gas Quality and Impurities
,” Milestone Completion Report, NREL/MP-510-30298.
6.
Milme
,
T. A.
,
Alam
,
C. C.
, and
Evans
,
R. J.
, “
Hydrogen From Biomass
,” State of the Art and Research Challenges, IEA.
7.
Olgun
,
H.
,
Caglayan
,
E.
,
Ersoz
,
A.
, and
Ozdogan
,
S.
, “
Integration of Biomass Gasification With Fuel Cells
,” 14th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 17–21 October 2005, Paris.
8.
Dogru
,
M.
,
Howarth
,
C. R.
,
Akay
,
G.
,
Keskinler
,
B.
, and
Malik
,
A. A.
, 2002, “
Gasification of Hazelnut Shells in a Downdraft Gasifier
,”
Energy
0360-5442,
27
, pp.
415
–
427
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
9.
Reed
,
B. T.
, and
Das
,
A.
, 1996,
Handbook of Biomass Downdraft Gasifier Engine Systems
,
The Biomass Energy Foundation Press
.
10.
Uzun
,
D.
, PhD thesis, Linyit Özellikleri, Piroliz ve Yakma Koşullarinin Kükürtlü Bileşiklerin Davranişma Etkisi, Marmara University 2002.
11.
Ruggiero
,
M.
, and
Manfrida
,
G.
, 1999, “
An Equilibrium Model for Biomass Gasification Process
,”
Renewable Energy
0960-1481,
16
, pp.
1106
–
1109
.
Crossref
Search ADS
 
12.
Lau
,
F. S.
,
Zabransky
,
R.
,
Bowen
,
D. A.
,
Kinoshita
,
C. M.
,
Turn
,
S. Q.
, and
Hughes
,
E. E.
, “
Techno Economic Analysis of Hydrogen Production by Gasification of Biomass
,”
Proceedings of the 2002 U.S. DOE Hydrogen Program Review NREL/CP-610-32405
(2002).
13.
Ersoz
,
A.
,
Olgun
,
H.
,
Ozdogan
,
S.
,
Gungor
,
C.
,
Akgun
,
F.
, and
Tiris
,
M.
, 2003, “
Autothermal Reforming as a Hydrocarbon Fuel Processing Option for PEM Fuel Cell
,”
J. Power Sources
0378-7753,
118
(
1,2
), pp.
384
–
392
.
Copyright © 2006
 by American Society of Mechanical Engineers
You do not currently have access to this content.