Development of process monitoring for improved efficiency in thermochemical conversion of biomass

The overall goal of the project is to enable improved electric efficiency biomass boilers. This project aims to demonstrate and make use of two novel measurement systems to detect the total concentration and the potassium concentration in flue gases in commercial scale biomass boilers.

The interest in these components is due to that they are the most prominent chemical indicators of a combustion atmosphere likely to cause substantial deposition at temperatures where super-heaters are operated. When potassium and sodium can be detected and tracked, measures can be taken to reduce their presence in critical zones via additives or fuel supply strategies and thereby allowing for increased steam temperature and efficiency of the boiler system. Generic design options for such improved steam systems will be also be simulated using process modelling to demonstrate the overall potential for improved fuel efficiency during thermochemical conversion of biomass.