Combined heat and power generation from solid biomass derived bioliquids and syngas by TCR

Bioenergy plays a significant role for the future energy supply and energy transition. Thus it is essential to expand the applicability of biofuels. Especially residue biomass is in the focus of academic and commercial research. A promising conversion technology for the production of liquid and gaseous fuels for combined heat and power (CHP) from residual biomass is the Thermo-Catalytic Reforming process (TCR®). At the EU BC&E 2016 positive results have been presented for the operation of a demo-scale combined heat and power diesel engine with bio-oil from this pyrolysis and reforming process. Main advantage of liquid biofuel from this process is the direct applicability in an internal combustion engine which is problematic for common fast pyrolysis oils. The liquid product of the TCR® process showed remarkably properties like a low TAN number, low viscosity, high heating value and as an unique and essential property for CHP application thermal stability The CHP engines were run on several gas TCR®-liquid mixtures. To meet the targeted high efficiency at an input of 80% gaseous and 20% liquid fuel, minor optimisations were required by means of injection timing and exhaust gas recirculation. In this context performance, emission characteristics and efficiency were measured and compared for different settings and operation points. The Thermo-Catalytic Reforming process is a key component of the Biobattery concept developed within the framework of the Center for Energy Storage (CES).