Development of the Biomix 50, a domestic-scale biomass cogeneration micro-power plant with a gas generator
The aim of the project is to utilise locally produced, dried sludge (separated manure, by-products from digesters) and mixtures of these with by-products of agricultural origin, using an innovative, multi-stage gas generator.
Equipment operating in this size range works only with high-quality wood chips that have a high ash melting point and are free from contaminants (such as sand, bark and leaves). As a result of our development work, we are creating a gas generator principle and system capable of operating with a wide range of biomass feedstocks and their mixtures.
At the output, high-efficiency electrical (approximately 3% higher than current systems), thermal energy (59%), 3% of heat loss as a system loss, and a carbon-rich charcoal by-product. This biochar enables CO₂ sequestration and long-term storage; when applied to arable land, it has a soil-improving effect. This, together with the CO₂ cycle, ensures the system’s integration into a circular economic model. The usability of the charcoal by-product is ensured by the innovative multi-stage gasification process. As activated biochar is produced from the feedstock as a sub-process, and by regulating certain aspects of the gasification process to ensure minimal (<50 mg/Nm³) tar is produced, the resulting biochar (with a PAH19 value <1 mg/kg) does not become contaminated by the output gas and can therefore be returned to the soil. This cannot be guaranteed with gas generators based on other principles. With this technical solution, no waste harmful to the environment is produced.
The plant will be capable of operating as a renewable power station within a smart grid network. The advantage of this is that the micro (50 kWe) power station generates electricity with high efficiency (>85%), as both electrical (>26%) and thermal energy (>59%) are utilised simultaneously. Its output is continuous, with an annual output of 8,000 hours, as opposed to solar and wind power stations. The result of this development will be a prototype of a new, unique, low-maintenance, multi-phase gas-generator-based biomass micro-power plant with an electrical output of 50 kW, capable of utilising separated sludge.
Project reference number: KFI_16-1-2017-0560
Amount of grant: 203,108,700 Ft
Aid intensity: 68.70%
Total budget: 295,629,500 Ft
