The KIT Renewable Energies Program covers research and development for the use of biomass as chemical energy carrier in the form of gaseous or liquid fuels or basic chemical substances.
For the use of dry biomass, e.g. straw or residual wood, KIT is operating the bioliq® pilot plant. Here, these feedstocks are converted into a viscous liquid, the energy density of which is higher by a factor of 10 to 15, the so-called bioSyncrude®. In a second step, the bioSyncrude® is subjected to a high-temperature gasification process and converted into synthesis gas and further into methanol. Then, numerous synthesis paths are available to produce basic products of chemical industry. Synthesis of a liquid fuel from methanol in a fourth reaction step demonstrates the possibility of replacing conventional fuels based on fossil resources.
At KIT, upscaling is performed, i.e. facilities are planned from the laboratory to pilot plants to mature plants. The first step of construction of the bioliq® pilot plant has now been completed. At the moment, the second step for synthesis gas production is being implemented. Construction of the third and fourth steps for fuel production has been planned already.
As far as the use of wet biomass is concerned, KIT activities concentrate on hydrothermal gasification to decompose the biomass into a hydrogen-rich burning gas at high pressure (typically 300 bar) and high temperature (about 600°C). The burning gas can be used without any cleaning expenditure being required. Decomposition methods, such as electroporation, may serve to make a higher proportion of the biomass usable. At smaller temperatures, the biomass is liquefied, with liquid fuels or basic chemical substances being obtained.
For both process lines – use of dry and of wet biomass - , systems analyses are performed for an integrated energy-related and ecological assessment. Active participation of industry underlines the high relevance of this work as a future-oriented task of energy research.
