Aims

The aim of this research project is to investigate the microbiological production of methane from woody biomass. In this synthesis gas (CO, hydrogen) from the thermochemical steam gasification is converted by microorganisms and the technology of the company MicroPyros to methane.

Main problem of this microbiological methanation is to supply the organisms with nutrients. Thermochemical gasification of woody biomass shall simultaneously provide syngas and nutrients. The consortium will investigated to what extent CO and tar components inhibit growth and activity of the microorganis

Measures

FAU
At the Department of Energy Process Engineering a mobile fermenter is established, which will be integrated in a allothermal gasifier.

MircoPyros
A fermenter of the company MicroPyros uses syngas from an allothermal steam laboratory gasifier.

Fraunhofer Umsicht
Fraunhofer Umsicht realizes the Proof-of-Concept of the TCR®-2 reactor in Straubing.

Focus

FAU
Focus at the EVT is the interface between the gasifier and a laboratory scale fermenter. It will be determined which purification steps are required before the product gas from the allothermal gasifier can be introduced into the fermenter. To obtain a minimization of the purification steps, the microorganisms involved may be adapted to the components of real wood gas. Due to the existing laboratory infrastructure at the EVT various synthetic wood ash and gases can be used with defined tar components.

MicroPyros

• Allothermal gasification of water vapour
• Biological methanisation
• Use of residues of the conversion process
• Heavy metalls
• Tar desposition

Fraunhofer Umsicht

• TCR®-gasifier (Thermo Catalytic Reforming)