An innovative small-scale gasification system for solid fuels such as wastes and biomass is proposed which is known as STAR-MEET system. In this system, a fixed-bed pyrolyzer combined with a high temperature reformer using high temperature steam/air mixture is employed. From the experimental results using rubber chips as a fuel, it has been demonstrated that injection of high temperature steam/air mixture into the pyrolysis gas effectively decomposes tar and soot components in the pyrolysis gas into CO and H 2' and almost dust and tar free clean reformed gas can be generated. The STAR-MEET system requires high temperature steam/air generator, and a 900C class metallic type compact heat exchanger has been successfully developed. This gasification system generates low BTU gas from solid fuels. Thus power generation experiments using a dual fueled(light oil gas and low BTU gas) small diesel engine were done using a simulated low BTU gas produced from natural gas diluted with nitrogen. Compared with light oil only driven, dual fueled engine shows similar thermal efficiency with significantly low NOx emission. Finally, power generation experiments using a complete STAR-MEET plant has been successfully done. These results demonstrates small-scale gasification and power generation system using solid fuels is quite feasible.
INTRODUCTION
SYSTEM
DEMONSTRATION OF REFORMING IN THE STAR-MEET SYSTEM
R&D ON METALIC TYPE COMPACT HIGH TEMPERATURE HEAT EXCHANGER FOR STEAM AND AIR HEATING
R&D ON LOW-BTU GAS DRIVEN ENGINE
POWER GENERATION DEMONSTARTION OF THE STAR-MEET SYSTEM
COMMERCLALIZATION STRATEGY
SUMMARY