Micro-Bio-CHP - Performance of a SOFC with Product Gas from a Biomass Updraft Gasifier

The Horizon Europe project Micro-Bio-CHP aims at the development of an innovative system for heat and electricity supply to achieve an almost energy autonomous multi-family building with regard to heating and electricity consumption as well as electro-mobility. Within the project a new, highly efficient micro-scale biomass CHP system based on a fixed-bed updraft gasifier and a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has been successfully developed and tested. A testing plant has been constructed and comprehensive test runs have been performed in order to evaluate the performance of the new technology and to improve it step by step. Test results demonstrate stable system operation and exceptionally low particulate matter emissions and CO emissions up to 85% lower than those of conventional biomass pellet boilers. NOx emissions were also significantly reduced, approximately 35% below conventional systems. The gas cleaning worked well keeping the demanded values for SOFC operation (< 1ppm H2S, < 5 ppm HCl, < 1 mg/Nm³ dust). The design targets concerning emissions and power output (2.5 kWel with an electric efficiency of 40%) have been achieved, which is seen as a major milestone within the project. However, also weak points have been identified which demand for further improvements of the technology prior to market introduction. Nevertheless, the Micro-Bio-CHP system can represent a new milestone in clean and efficient energy and heat production from biomass and can be of high relevance for the future application in apartment buildings and micro grids.