Host: The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan
Technical demonstration and commercialization of an innovative small-scale gasification and power generation system for solid fuels such as wastes and biomass are described which is known as the STAR-MEET system. In this system, a fixed-bed pyrolyzer combined with a high temperature reformer using a high temperature steam/air mixture is employed. From the experimental results using various solid fuels, it has been demonstrated that the injection of high temperature steam/air mixture into the pyrolysis gas effectively decomposes tar and soot components in the pyrolysis gas into CO and H2, and almost dust and tar free clean reformed gas can be generated. This gasification system generates low BTU gas from solid fuels. Power generation experiments using a small, dual fueled (20% light oil gas + 80% low BTU gas) diesel engine demonstrated high thermal efficiency around 30% and low emission (especially NOx). Based on these R&D achievements, Ichiki-town located in Kyushu area of Japan has built a 20tons/day scale slagging MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) gasifier combined with 900kW dual-fueled diesel engines and its trial operation began from February, 2004. This paper also describes the outline of this plant and start-up data which were obtained during trial operations. Finally, an innovative small-scale hydrogen generation system from solid fuels called as the HyPR-MEET system is proposed. This system is based on the high temperature steam gasification process and some fundamental experimental results are shown which demonstrate the technical feasibility of the HyPR-MEET system.
