HOT GAS CLEAN-UP BIOFLOW CERAMIC FILTER EXPERIENCE

Future energy production will be handled by advanced technologies that are more efficient and more environmentally friendly and less in capital cost. An integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCe) power plant is among the most promising technologies to meet the above goals. The use of biofuels, a renewable form of energy, in IGCC systems is an excellent option to reduce the CO2 emission. In 1992, Sydkraft AB of Sweden and Foster Wheeler Energia Oy of Finland formed a joint venture company, Bioflow Ltd, to develop the biomass-based IGCC system with the gasification part provided by pressurized circulating fluidized bed technology. The new IGCC system is expected to have higher efficiency (44-50%) and the gaseous emissions would be lowered by 20-50% of the current levels. A Bioflow IGCC demonstration plant has already been built in Varnamo, Sweden and it is now in operation. In this plant, the first in the world, the integration of a pressurized gasifier with a gas turbine will take place utilizing low heating value fuel from biomass gasification. The cogen plant produces 6 MWe electricity and 9 MWth district heat. The plant has, among other critical components, a ceramic barrier filter for hot gas particulate clean up. This paper describes the hot gas ceramic filter operation at about 400°C under pressure. Over 2000 hr of operation has been logged. The performance of the filter has been satisfactory.