Publications
Other Publications | 2024
Pyrolysetechnologien in Europa
Technologieübersicht mittelschneller Pyrolyse für dezentrale Anwendungen, für kleine und mittlere Unternehmen und für die Kreislaufwirtschaft
Klauser F, Schwarz M, Schwabl M, Wopienka E, Fuhrmann M, Dissauer C. Pyrolysetechnologien in Europa, BMK.14/2024
External Link Details AbstractPyrolyse ist ein althergebrachtes Verfahren, das bereits vor Jahrtausenden zur Herstellung von Kohle praktiziert wurde. Bestrebungen nach Unabhängigkeit von fossilen Ressourcen und klimaneutralen sowie kreislaufwirtschaftlichen Wertschöpfungsketten, führen aktuell zu deutlich steigendem Interesse an dieser Technologie. Durch vielseitige verfahrenstechnische Ausgestaltungsmöglichkeiten stellt die Pyrolyse eine potenzielle Schlüsseltechnologie für verschiedene zum Teil hoch spezifische Anwendungen für stoffliche und energetische Prozessketten dar. Diese Vielfalt an Möglichkeiten resultiert jedoch gleichzeitig in einer hohen Komplexität, die es erschwert einen Überblick über angebotene Anlagen zu bekommen.
Ziel dieser Studie ist es, Informationen vielfältiger Systeme in eine vergleichbare Form zu bringen und dadurch eine Übersicht für Interessierte zu ermöglichen. Der Aufwand der Informationsbeschaffung als initialer Schritt für Umsetzungen soll dadurch reduziert werden. Hierdurch soll zur Realisierung regionaler Pyrolyseprojekte als Bestandteil kreislaufwirtschaftlicher Stoffnutzungskonzepte beigetragen werden.
Other Publications | 2013
Pylogenetic (SSU) and Fatty Acid Analysis of Several Algal Strains within the Trebouxiophyceae and Implications for Commercial Purposes
Gruber M, Darienko T, Pröschold T, Jirsa F, Schagerl M. Pylogenetic (SSU) and Fatty Acid Analysis of Several Algal Strains within the Trebouxiophyceae and Implications for Commercial Purposes, 21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition 2013, 3rd-7th of June 2013, Copenhagen, Denmark.
DetailsOther papers | 2013
Pulmonary inflammation and tissue damage in the mouse lung after exposure to PM samples from biomass heating appliances of old and modern technologies
Happo MS, Uski O, Jalava PI, Kelz J, Brunner T, Hakulinen P, et al. Pulmonary inflammation and tissue damage in the mouse lung after exposure to PM samples from biomass heating appliances of old and modern technologies. Sci Total Environ. 2013;443:256-66.
External Link Details AbstractCurrent levels of ambient air fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are associated with mortality and morbidity in urban populations worldwide. In residential areas wood combustion is one of the main sources of PM2.5 emissions, especially during wintertime. However, the adverse health effects of particulate emissions from the modern heating appliances and fuels are poorly known. In this study, health related toxicological properties of PM1 emissions from five modern and two old technology appliances were examined. The PM1 samples were collected by using a Dekati® Gravimetric Impactor (DGI). The collected samples were weighed and extracted with methanol for chemical and toxicological analyses. Healthy C57BL/6J mice were intratracheally exposed to a single dose of 1, 3, 10 or 15mg/kg of the particulate samples for 4, 18 or 24h. Thereafter, the lungs were lavaged and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was assayed for indicators of inflammation, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. Lungs of 24h exposed mice were collected for inspection of pulmonary tissue damage. There were substantial differences in the combustion qualities of old and modern technology appliances. Modern technology appliances had the lowest PM1 (mg/MJ) emissions, but they induced the highest inflammatory, cytotoxic and genotoxic activities. In contrast, old technology appliances had clearly the highest PM1 (mg/MJ) emissions, but their effect in the mouse lungs were the lowest. Increased inflammatory activity was associated with ash related components of the emissions, whereas high PAH concentrations were correlating with the smallest detected responses, possibly due to their immunosuppressive effect. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
Other papers | 2013
Pseudo heterogeneous modeling of catalytic methane steam reforming process in a fixed bed reactor
Sadooghi P, Rauch R. Pseudo heterogeneous modeling of catalytic methane steam reforming process in a fixed bed reactor. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering. 2013;11:46-51.
External Link Details AbstractA mathematical model is developed to simulate synthesis gas production by methane steam reforming process in a fixed bed reactor filled with catalyst particles. Due to the endothermic nature of the reforming reactions heat is supplied into the reactor by means of electrical heating, therefore, the reactor and catalyst particles are exposed to significant axial and radial temperature gradients. A pseudo heterogeneous model is used in order to exactly represent diffusion phenomena inside the reactor tube. Heat and mass transfer equations are coupled with detailed reaction mechanisms and solved for both the flow phase and within the catalyst pellets. The reaction has been investigated from a modeling view point considering the effect of different temperatures ranging from 873 to 1073 (K) on methane conversion and hydrogen yields. The result provides temperature and concentration distribution along the reactor axial and radial coordinates and strong radial temperature gradients particularly close to the entrance of the reactor have been found. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
Conference presentations and posters | 2014
Promotion of successful bioenergy initiatives in Eastern Europe
Kristöfel C. Promotion of successful bioenergy initiatives in Eastern Europe, Word Sustainable Energy Days 2014, 26th-28th of February 2014, Wels, Austria. (visual presentation)
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2014
Promotion of bioenergy initiatives in Centru Region, Romania
Kristöfel C, Ehrig R, Strasser C. Promotion of bioenergy initiatives in Centru Region Romania, 4th Central European Biomass Conference 2014, 15th-18th of January 2014, Graz, Austria.
DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2020
Progressive Hedging for Stochastic Energy Management Systems: The Mixed-Integer Linear Case
Kaisermayer V, Muschick D, Gölles M, Horn M. Progressive Hedging for Stochastic Energy Management Systems: The Mixed-Integer Linear Case. Energy Systems. 2020 Aug 29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12667-020-00401-z
External Link Details AbstractEnergy systems have increased in complexity in the past years due to the everincreasing integration of intermittent renewable energy sources such as solar thermal or wind power. Modern energy systems comprise different energy domains such as electrical power, heating and cooling which renders their control even more challenging. Employing supervisory controllers, so-called energy management systems (EMSs), can help to handle this complexity and to ensure the energy-efficient and cost-efficient operation of the energy system. One promising approach are optimization-based EMS, which can for example be modelled as stochastic mixed-integer linear programmes (SMILP). Depending on the problem size and control horizon, obtaining solutions for these in real-time is a difficult task. The progressive hedging (PH) algorithm is a practical way for splitting a large problem into smaller subproblems and solving them iteratively, thus possibly reducing the solving time considerably. The idea of the PH algorithm is to aggregate the solutions of subproblems, where artificial costs have been added. These added costs enforce that the aggregated solutions become non-anticipative and
are updated in every iteration of the algorithm. The algorithm is relatively simple to implement in practice, re-using almost all of a possibly existing deterministic implementations and can be easily parallelized.
Although it has no convergence guarantees in the mixed-integer linear case, it can nevertheless be used as a good heuristic for SMILPs. Recent theoretical results shown that for applying augmented Lagrangian functions in the context of mixed-integer programmes, any norm proofs to be a valid penalty function. This is not true for squared norms, like the squared L 2 -norm that is used in the classical progressive hedging algorithm. Building on these theoretical results, the use of the L 1 and L-infinity-norm in the PH algorithm is investigated in this paper. In order to incorporate these into the algorithm an adapted multiplier update step is proposed. Additionally a heuristic extension of the aggregation step and an adaptive penalty parameter update scheme from the literature is investigated. The advantages of the proposed modifications are demonstrated by means of illustrative examples, with the application to SMILP-based EMS in mind.
Other Publications | 2016
Progress in Mixed Alcohol Synthesis - Based on Wood Gas Derived from Dual Fluidized Bed Biomass Steam Gasification
Binder, M., Weber, G., Rauch, R., Hofbauer, H.: Progress in Mixed Alcohol Synthesis - Based on Wood Gas Derived from Dual Fluidized Bed Biomass Steam Gasification. Poster presentation at CASCATBEL workshop 2016, 18 - 20 May 2016, Porto Carras, Greece.
DetailsOther papers | 2016
Progress in hydrogen production from product gas generated by dual fluidized bed biomass steam gasification
Kraussler M, Hofbauer H. Progress in hydrogen production from product gas generated by dual fluidized bed biomass steam gasification. 24th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (oral presentation). June 2016, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2012
Produktentwicklung von Biomassekesseln – Rollenprüfstandstest für Biomassekessel kleiner Leistung
Haslinger W. Produktentwicklung von Biomassekesseln – Rollenprüfstandstest für Biomassekessel kleiner Leistung, Innovationsforum Ökoenergie-Cluster 2012, 18th of October 2012, Linz, Austria.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2010
Production of Synthetic Biofuels in existing Industry - Simulation of FICFB and Fischer - Tropsch - Process in IPSEpro
Weber G, Potetz A, Rauch R, Hofbauer H. Production of Synthetic Biofuels in existing Industry - Simulation of FICFB and Fischer - Tropsch - Process in IPSEpro, ICPS 2010, 7th-9th of September 2010, Leipzig, Germany.
Details AbstractIn cooperation between Vienna University of Technology and Bioenergy 2020+ a project was done which had the objective to evaluate the prospects for the production of Biofuels by integration in existing Austrian biomass industry. The advantages of such integration are the good access to renewable energy resources like wood chips, existing infrastructure for electricity and heat, existing logistics of resources and the utilization of waste heat from Biofuel production to substitute fossil fuels. One work package included the process simulation of thermo-chemical biomass gasification and the production of a second generation Biofuel by the use of Fischer – Tropsch (FT) - synthesis. The process simulation tool IPSEpro was used for the simulation. The simulation of technical processes allows the prediction of the behavior of processes on the base of mathematical models. The quality of a simulation model depends substantially on the used model and the process parameters. The used technologies in the process simulation were the biomass gasification with the Fast Internal Circulating Fluidized Bed (FICFB) – gasification system and the Fischer –Tropsch (FT) - synthesis. The FICFB was developed by the Vienna University of technology. This gasification technology is used in the well known demonstration plant is Güssing (Austria). The produced product gas is nearly nitrogen free and has a high content of hydrogen (45 – 35 Vol%dry) and carbon monoxide (25 – 20 Vol%dry). These product gas components are used in the FT - synthesis for the production of FT – raw product. A FT - Trial Plant is also situated in Güssing since the year 2005. A slurry reactor is used in the Trial Plant for the FT – synthesis. The target for the simulation was the production of FT – raw product as well as the substitution of fossil fuels. The waste heat of the process should be used for the production of steam. An amount of 120 tons per hour of fossil produced steam should be substituted. The
Off-Gas of the FT – process was also used for the production of steam. Two different models for location number one were considered. The used fuel was wood chips. The data out of the simulation were used to calculate the economic efficiency of the plants. An important parameter was the price of the FT – raw product per liter. The total costs and the production capacity were set equal to calculate the marginal revenue. Also a sensitivity analysis was done to evaluate the effects of rising fuel costs and increased investment costs.
Conference presentations and posters | 2013
Production of mixed alcohols from biomass-derived synthesis gas using a sulfidized molybdenum catalyst
Weber G, Rauch R, Hofbauer H. Production of mixed alcohols from biomass-derived synthesis gas using a sulfidized molybdenum catalyst, International Conference on Polygeneration Strategies 2013, 3th-5th of September 2013, Vienna, Austria. Weber G, Rauch R, Hofbauer H. Production of mixed alcohols from biomass-derived synthesis gas using a sulfidized molybdenum catalyst, International Conference on Polygeneration Strategies 2013, 3th-5th of September 2013, Vienna, Austria. (peer reviewed)
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2015
Production of high purity hydrogen from biomass-derived synthesis gas using dual fluidised bed gasification technology
Loipersböck J., Rehling B., Rauch R., Hofbauer H. Production of high purity hydrogen from biomass-derived synthesis gas using dual fluidised bed gasification technology, 23rd European Biomass Conference 2015, 1st-4th of June 2015, Vienna, Austria. (oral presentation)
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2017
Production of Fuel Ethanol and Higher Alcohols from Biomass Residue
Summers M, Liao C, Hoffman M, Hart M, Seiser R, Neimann U, Cattolica R, Rauch R, Binder M. Production of Fuel Ethanol and Higher Alcohols from Biomass Residue. 25th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (oral presentation). June 2017, Stockholm, Sweden.
External Link DetailsReports | 2016
Production of advanced biofuels
Bacovsky D. Production of advanced biofuels. Nationaler Workshop Biotreibstoffe. September 2016.
External Link Download PDF DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2020
Product flexibility from biomass steam gasification applying gas upgrading and synthesis processes
Binder M, Product flexibility from biomass steam gasification applying gas upgrading and synthesis processes. 6th Central European Biomass Conference, 22-24 January 2020, Graz.
Download PDF DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2012
Processing Options Of Heavy Fractions From MBT Plants
Meirhofer M, Ragoßnig AM, Sommer M. Processing Options Of Heavy Fractions From MBT Plants, ISWA Annual Congress Florence 2012, 17th-19th of September 2012, Florence, Italy. (peer reviewed)
Details AbstractHeavy fractions resulting from mechanical treatment stages of Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) plants are posing very specific demands with regard to further treatment/disposal as they contain a high portion of inert material as well as a high portion of high calorific components. Based on the current Austrian legal situation (landfill ordinance: max. Higher Calorific Value (HCV) for MBT-fractions to be landfilled = 6,600 kJ/kg DM) this waste stream cannot be landfilled but must be thermally treated. In economic terms it is desirable to separate high calorific from inert waste components in order to allow for a material specific routing taking advantage of the difference in the costs for the downstream treatment / disposal.
In this conference contribution results of extensive processing experiments with the heavy fraction from the mechanical stage of the MBT plant of Umweltdienst Burgenland in Oberpullendorf, Austria, are presented. Experiments have been conducted with three different sensor-based automatic sorting systems (NIR – Multiplexer, NIR – Spectral Imaging, X-Ray transmission) as well as two density based processing technologies (wet treatment with a jigger, dry treatment with a cross flow air separation device). In addition a rotary shredder, which allows selective crushing, followed by screening has been investigated.
The performance of the processing options have been evaluated by characterizing the resulting product streams by means of manual sorting in order to evaluate purity and yield achieved by the respective treatment options. In addition to that chemical and physical parameters relevant for further treatment / disposal steps for the resulting product streams have been analysed. The inert fraction has been evaluated regarding the landfilling on a mass waste landfill on one hand and on a C&D waste landfill on the other hand. The high calorific product stream has been evaluated with regard to its thermal utilization.
Complementing the technical evaluation of the processing options an economical assessment of the processing options looked at including the economical implications of the resulting changes in the routing of the waste streams has been conducted.
Conference presentations and posters | 2012
Processing Options Of Heavy Fractions From MBT Plant
Meirhofer M, Ragoßnig AM, Sommer M. Processing Options Of Heavy Fractions From MBT Plant, ISWA Annual Congress Florence 2012, 18th of September 2012, Florence, Italy.
DetailsOther Publications | 2021
Probenahmen, Messung, Behandlung von Chrom VI in Holzaschen
Retschitzegger S. Probenahmen, Messung, Behandlung von Chrom VI in Holzaschen. 23. Österreichischer Biomassetag & Heizwerke-Betreibertag. September 2021.
DetailsOther Publications | 2019
Primäre und sekundäre Verbesserungen an einem Biomassekessel für Agrarbrennstoffe
Zemann C, Kelz J, Muschick D, Retschitzegger S, Gölles M. Primäre und sekundäre Verbesserungen an einem Biomassekessel für Agrarbrennstoffe. 10. Fachgespräch: Partikelabscheider in häuslichen Feuerungen. 20. März 2019 (2019). [online]. (Tagungsreader, 15). Leipzig: DBFZ. 168 S.
External Link Download PDF Details Abstractie Biomasseverbrennung spielt eine zentrale Rolle bei der Bereitstellung von Wärme aus erneuerbaren Energieträgern. Konventionelle Biomasse-Brennstoffe werden jedoch aufgrund einer steigenden Anzahl stofflicher Verwertungsmöglichkeiten, wie z.B. der Umwandlung in Chemikalien, teurer und schwieriger zugänglich. Agrarbrennstoffe, die bisher nur selten oder gar nicht in Biomasse-Kleinfeuerungen eingesetzt wurden, stellen eine vielversprechende Alternative zu konventionellen Brennstoffen dar. Diese Agrarbrennstoffe, wie zum Beispiel Kurzumtrieb, Maisspindeln oder Stroh sind kostengünstig und in ausreichender Menge vorhanden. Der Einsatz von Agrarbrennstoffen in konventionellen Biomasse-Kleinfeuerungen ist jedoch aufgrund stark variierender Brennstoffeigenschaften mit erhöhten Anforderungen an das Verbrennungssystem verbunden. Erhöhte N, S, Cl, Alkalimetall- und Aschegehalte sowie niedrigere Aschenschmelzpunkte können zu aschebedingten Problemen (Ascheschmelze, Ascheablagerung und Korrosion) sowie erhöhten Konzentrationen von gasförmigen (CO, NOx, HCl und SOx) und partikelförmigen Emissionen bei der Verbrennung führen.
Ziel der in diesem Beitrag präsentierten Arbeiten war die Erhöhung die Brennstoffflexibilität einer handelsüblichen Biomasse-Kleinfeuerung um damit eine Verbrennung von Agrarbrennstoffen mit niedrigen Schadstoffemissionen und einem hohen Wirkungsgrad zu ermöglichen. Hierzu wurde eine modellbasierte Regelung entwickelt, welche insbesondere eine gezielte Einstellung des Luftverhältnisses in der Primärverbrennungszone ermöglicht und damit das Risiko der Ascheschmelze reduziert und Schadstoffmissionen verringert. Soft-Sensoren bestimmen relevante Brennstoffeigenschaften während des Betriebs, welche von der modellbasierten Regelung zur automatischen Anpassung an geänderte Brennstoffeigenschaften genutzt werden. Die modellbasierte Regelung wurde um eine CO-lambda-Optimierung ergänzt, welche auf Basis von Messwerten des Restsauerstoffgehalts und der CO-Emissionen den Wirkungsgrad der Verbrennung maximiert und gleichzeitig die Schadstoffemissionen verringert. Zur weiteren Verringerung von partikelförmigen Schadstoffemissionen wurde ein am Markt verfügbarer Elektrofilter adaptiert und nach dem Wärmeübertrager der Biomasse-Kleinfeuerung angebracht.
Dieses Verbrennungssystem wurde durch umfassende Testläufe mit begleitenden Emissionsmessungen sowie Brennstoff-, Staub- und Ascheanalysen bewertet. Der Einsatz der modellbasierten Regelung führte zu einem stabileren Betrieb bei allen Leistungen und für alle Brennstoffe. Der Elektrofilter zeigte sehr zufriedenstellende Abscheidegrade für alle untersuchten Brennstoffe und Anlagenleistungen. Dadurch konnte die Brennstoffflexibilität der handelsüblichen Biomasse-Kleinfeuerung erhöht und die Verbrennung von Agrarbrennstoffen ermöglicht werden.
Conference presentations and posters | 2020
Primary- and Secondary Measures for Manually Fired Stoves – An Overview
Reichert G. Primary- and Secondary Measures for Manually Fired Stoves – An Overview. 6th Central European Biomass Conference - KeepWarm/CleanAir workshop (oral presentation). 2020.
External Link Download PDF DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2020
Primary- and Secondary Measures for Manually Fired Stoves - An Overview
Reichert G. Primary- and Secondary Measures for Manually Fired Stoves - An Overview. 6th Central European Biomass Conference, 2020, Graz.
Download PDF DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2009
Primary measures for low-emission residential wood combustion – comparison of old with optimised modern systems
Brunner T, Obernberger I, Scharler R. Primary measures for low-emission residential wood combustion – comparison of old with optimised modern systems, 17th European Biomass Conference 2009, 29th of June-3rd of July 2009, Hamburg, Germany.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2014
Price cointegration in the Austrian wood fuel market,
Kristöfel C, Morawetz UB, Schmid E, Strasser C. Price cointegration in the Austrian wood fuel market, 22nd European Biomass Conference 2014, 23rd-26th of June 2014, Hamburg, Germany. p 1330-1335.
Details AbstractThe wood fuel market is connected to the forestbased industry in various ways: the sawmill by products such as sawdust and wood chips are usually used as raw material in the panel, pulp and paper industry and are increasingly pelletized to supply the energy commodity market. Hence, the question arises whether or not prices of these woody biomass commodities are integrated. Threshold cointegration and asymmetric error correction models are used to analyze the price dynamics between roundwood, wood pellets and sawmill by products. Results indicate that a statistical significant price transmission between sawmill byproducts and wood pellets, but wood pellet and roundwood prices are not integrated. The price transmission between wood pellets and sawdust as well as wood chips is asymmetric. The Granger Causality test reveals that the prices of sawdust and wood chips depend on the price of wood pellets.
Conference presentations and posters | 2021
Price cointegration in the Austrian sawmill industry with a focus on by-products
Fuhrmann M, Dißauer C, Strasser C, Schmid E. Price cointegration in the Austrian sawmill industry with a focus on by-products. 29th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, EUBCE 2021. 26-29 April 2021.
DetailsConference Papers | 2024
Predictive Rule-Based Control Strategy for Optimizing the Operation of Solar District Heating Plants
Unterberger V, Lichtenegger K, Gölles M. Predictive Rule-Based Control Strategy for Optimizing the Operation of Solar District Heating Plants. In: Proceedings of EuroSun 2024: 15th International Conference on Solar Energy for Buildings and Industry. 26.-30. August 2024. Limassol. 382-390.
External Link DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2023
Predictive control of biomass and biogas-based CHPs at the intersection between the electricity grid and heating networks – Improving electricity market participation through optimization and demand side management
Muschick D, Kaisermayer V, Moser A, Gölles M. Predictive control of biomass and biogas-based CHPs at the intersection between the electricity grid and heating networks – Improving electricity market participation through optimization and demand side management. 7. Mitteleuropäische Biomassekonferenz: CEBC 2023. 20. Jan 2023. Oral presentation.
Download PDF DetailsOther Publications | 2024
Predictive Building Energy Management with User Feedback in the Loop
Kaisermayer V, Muschick D, Gölles M, Horn M. Predictive Building Energy Management with User Feedback in the Loop. Centre's Day 2024.
Download PDF DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2024
Predictive building energy management with user feedback in the loop
Kaisermayer V, Muschick D, Horn M, Schweiger G, Schwengler T, Mörth M, Heimrath R, Mach T, Herzlieb M, Gölles M. Predictive building energy management with user feedback in the loop. Smart Energy. November 2024(16):100164.
External Link Details AbstractRetrofitting buildings with predictive control strategies can reduce their energy demand and improve thermal comfort by considering their thermal inertia and future weather conditions. A key challenge is minimizing additional infrastructure, such as sensors and actuators, while ensuring user comfort at all times. This study focuses on retrofitting with intelligent software, incorporating the users’ feedback directly into the control loop. We propose a predictive control strategy using an optimization-based energy management system (EMS) to control thermal zones in an office building. It uses a physically motivated grey-box model to predict and adjust thermal demand, with individual zones modelled using an RC-approach and parameter estimation handled by an unscented Kalman filter (UKF). This reduces deployment effort as the parameters are learned from historical data. The objective function ensures user comfort, penalizes undesirable behaviour and minimizes heating and cooling costs. An internal comfort model, automatically calibrated with user feedback by another UKF, further improves system performance. The practical case study is an office building at the ”Innovation District Inffeld”. Operation of the system for one year yielded significant results compared to conventional control. Thermal comfort was improved by 12% and thermal energy consumption for heating and cooling was reduced by about 35%.
Other Publications | 2024
Predictions of NOx-emissions in combustion processes using chemical reactor networks
Krainz M, Essl M, Schulze K. Predictions of NOx-emissions in combustion processes using chemical reactor networks. Centre's Day 2024
Download PDF DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2020
Prediction of slag related problems during fixed bed combustion of biomass by application of a multivariate statistical approach on fuel properties and burner technology
Rebbling A, Näzelius IL, Schwabl M, Feldmeier S, Schön C, Dahl J, Haslinger W, Boström D, Öhman M, Boman C. Prediction of slag related problems during fixed bed combustion of biomass by application of a multivariate statistical approach on fuel properties and burner technology. Biomass and Bioenergy 2020.137:105557.
External Link Details AbstractSlag is related to the melting properties of ash and is affected by both the chemical composition of the fuel ash and the combustion parameters. Chemical analysis of slag from fixed bed combustion of phosphorus-poor biomass show that the main constituents are Si, Ca, K, O (and some Mg, Al, and Na), which indicates that the slag consists of different silicates. Earlier research also points out viscosity and fraction of the ash that melts, as crucial parameters for slag formation. To the authors’ knowledge, very few of the papers published to this day discuss slagging problems of different pelletized fuels combusted in multiple combustion appliances. Furthermore, no comprehensive classification of both burner technology and fuel ash parameters has been presented in the literature so far. The objective of the present paper was therefore to give a first description of a qualitative model where ash content, concentrations of main ash forming elements in the fuel and type of combustion appliance are related to slagging behaviour and potential operational problems of a biomass fuel in different small- and medium scale fixed bed appliances.
Based on the results from the combustion of a wide range of pelletized biomass fuels in nine different burners, a model is presented for amount of slag formed and expected severity of operational problems. The model was validated by data collected from extensive combustion experiments and it can be concluded that the model predicts qualitative results.
Conference presentations and posters | 2012
Prediction of biomass ash melting behaviour – correlation between the data obtained from thermodynamic equilibrium calculations and simultaneous thermal analysis (STA)
Evic N, Brunner T, Oberberger I. Prediction of biomass ash melting behaviour – correlation between the data obtained from thermodynamic equilibrium calculations and simultaneous thermal analysis (STA), 20th European Biomass Conference 2012, 18th-22nd of June 2012, Milano, Italy. p 807-813.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2019
Practical example: manufacturers’ data vs data from ecoinvent database – a comparison of LCI and LCA
Rixrath D, Wartha C, Enigl M, Strasser C, Piringer G. Practical example: manufacturers’ data vs data from ecoinvent database – a comparison of LCI and LCA. 15. Minisymposium Verfahrenstechnik MU Leoben (Poster). 2019.
External Link Details AbstractThe aim of this work is to analyze biogenic residues and to test
them for their suitability as feedstocks for hydrothermal
liquefaction (HTL). Green waste, sewage sludge, micelles,
leftovers and organic waste were analyzed and tested. All
experiments were carried out in an autoclave at 350 °C with a
holding time of 15 minutes under an inert argon atmosphere. After
the experiments the yields of the gas, aqueous, biocrude and solid
phase were determined together with lipid contents, heating values
and elemental composition of the raw materials and biocrude
samples. Biocrude yields are of specific interest for a future
commercial use of the HTL-process. In this study we achieved
biocrude yields between 9.43% (green waste) and 34.28%
(leftovers).
Peer reviewed papers | 2018
Power to fuels: Dynamic modeling of a Slurry Bubble Column Reactor in lab-scale for Fischer Tropsch synthesis under variable load of synthesis gas
Seyednejadian S, Rauch R, Bensaid S, Hofbauer H, Weber G, Saracco G. Power to fuels: Dynamic modeling of a Slurry Bubble Column Reactor in lab-scale for Fischer Tropsch synthesis under variable load of synthesis gas. Apllied Sciences. 2018, 8(4): 514.
External Link Details AbstractThis research developed a comprehensive computer model for a lab-scale Slurry Bubble Column Reactor (SBCR) (0.1 m Dt and 2.5 m height) for Fischer–Tropsch (FT) synthesis under flexible operation of synthesis gas load flow rates. The variable loads of synthesis gas are set at 3.5, 5, 7.5 m3/h based on laboratory adjustments at three different operating temperatures (483, 493 and 503 K). A set of Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) in the form of mass transfer and chemical reaction are successfully coupled to predict the behavior of all the FT components in two phases (gas and liquid) over the reactor bed. In the gas phase, a single-bubble-class-diameter (SBCD) is adopted and the reduction of superficial gas velocity through the reactor length is incorporated into the model by the overall mass balance. Anderson Schulz Flory distribution is employed for reaction kinetics. The modeling results are in good agreement with experimental data. The results of dynamic modeling show that the steady state condition is attained within 10 min from start-up. Furthermore, they show that step-wise syngas flow rate does not have a detrimental influence on FT product selectivity and the dynamic modeling of the slurry reactor responds quite well to the load change conditions.
Other papers | 2020
Power Systems in the context of district heating and cooling networks as an integrated energy system approach -Regulations and Business Cases within the IEA DHC Annex TS3
Kneiske T, Kallert A, Cronbach D, Yu Y, Schmidt D, Johannsen R, Sorknæs P, Muschick D, Ianakiev A, Svensson I, Schmidt R, Terreros O, Widl E. Power Systems in the context of district heating and cooling networks as an integrated energy system approach - Regulations and Business Cases within the IEA DHC Annex TS3. 48. CIGRE conference 2020. July 2020.
External Link Details AbstractIntegrated energy systems 1 couples power systems, district heating and cooling (DHC), and gas grids, thereby enabling the storage and distribution of energy across different infrastructure types. Supply and demand follow different patterns in these different domains, which can lead to synergies in generation, storage and consumption, if planned and managed as one energy system. An integrated approach has the potential to increase reliability, flexibility and supply safety and efficiency. Moreover, network coupling increases local utilization of renewables, avoiding problems in the distribution networks, as well as transmission losses. In addition, hybrid energy networks are a promising opportunity to manage and mitigate temporal imbalances of supply and demand in energy systems with a high share of volatile renewables, mainly PV and wind energy. The IEA DHC Annex TS3 provides a holistic approach for designing and assessing hybridization schemes, focusing on the district heating and cooling (DHC) networks and considering both technical (system configuration, operational strategy) and strategic aspects (business models, regulatory frame). These aspects will be discussed within the framework of the IEA DHC Annex TS3 in order to promote the benefits of DHC networks in an integrated energy system. Furthermore we can establish a common direction for the development and implementation of hybrid energy concepts. The IEA DHC Annex TS3 will connect existing national and international projects and thus benefit from interdisciplinary experience and exchange. The primary result of the IEA DHC Annex TS3 will be a guidebook including: Analyses of available technologies and synergies / application areas An overview of international case studies including simulation scenarios 1 Different alternative notations can be found in literature, e.g. multi-energy networks, hybrid energy networks, sector coupling, multi-domain networks, cross energy systems. However, since no standard definition is available, those notations are used synonymously.
Peer reviewed papers | 2024
Potential of user training for reducing emissions of firewood stoves
Sturmlechner R, Schmidl C, Klauser F, Kirchsteiger B, Kasper-Giebl A. Potential of user training for reducing emissions of firewood stoves.Atmospheric Environment X. 2024.24:100287.
External Link Details AbstractEmissions from wood-burning stoves contribute to local air pollution. However, it is difficult to determine the real emissions from such stoves, especially due to unknown user behaviour, which can have a large impact on emissions. In this study, the low-cost emission reduction measure “user training” was evaluated to determine its emission reduction potential on firewood stoves. Two sets of tests were carried out. First, a field measurement campaign was conducted in Styria (Austria) with four wood stoves, where gaseous and particulate emissions were measured before and after a user training on optimised heating behaviour (e.g. ignition mode, fuel properties and placement in the combustion chamber, air supply). Gaseous emissions (carbon monoxide – CO, organic gaseous compounds – OGC) were measured continuously, while particulates were measured in batches, in undiluted and hot as well as in diluted and cooled flue gas in parallel with a specific field measurement setup. In addition, particle filters were analysed to quantify the concentration of the carcinogenic compound benzo(a)pyrene (BaP). Second, user training workshops were conducted. These tests had a simple measurement setup in order to increase the number of tests. Thus, only CO emissions were evaluated.
The results show that real life emissions in the field are high and have a high variability compared to laboratory tests and official type test results. However, user training showed a significant reduction of CO, OGC, TSP and BaP emissions of 42%, 57%, 45% and 76% (median), respectively. In addition, TSPsum (sum of hot and cooled particle emission samples) emissions decreased by 39% (median) after user training. The relative reduction rates of all batches show that the highest emission reduction potential was identified for BaP, with a reduction rate of up to 97%. The results of the workshop tests confirmed the high variability in user behavior and the range for the emission reduction potentials, with a median CO reduction of 41%.
The emission reduction potential of the user training measure is comparable to state-of-the-art technological measures such as electrostatic precipitators and catalysts. However, these measures are costly and require a high level of technical sophistication. User training, on the other hand, is relatively cheap, easy to implement and suitable for all users. Of course, there is some risk that trained end-users will revert to their old habits, leading to higher emissions again. Therefore, regular training may be necessary to maintain the higher level of performance. As we did not assess this aspect in our work, further research would be needed to prove this theory.
Other papers | 2016
Possibility of industrial scale BioH2 production from product gas in existing dual fluidized bed biomass gasification plant
Jovanovic A, Stamenkovic M, Nenning L, Rauch R. Possibility of industrial scale BioH2 production from product gas in existing dual fluidized bed biomass gasification plant. 4th International Symposium on Environment Friendly Energies and Applications, EFEA 2016. 18 November 2016, Belgrade, Serbia.
External Link Details AbstractConceptual solution of production of pure renewable hydrogen from wood gas or product derived from the commercial biomass steam gasification plant Güssing, Austria was carried out. The proposed process of product gas upgrading consisted of tree basic operations: (I) catalyzed water-gas shift (WGS) reaction, (II) gas drying and cleaning in a wet scrubber and (III) hydrogen purification by pressure swing adsorption. The tail gas or adsorbate can be used like fuel for gas engine for electrical energy production or like a boiler fuel for hot water-heat production.
Conference presentations and posters | 2009
Possibilities of Ash Utilisation from Biomass Combustion Plants
Obernberger I, Supancic K. Possibilities of Ash Utilisation from Biomass Combustion Plants, 17th European Biomass Conference 2009, 29th of June-3rd of July 2009, Hamburg, Germany. p 2373-2384.
DetailsOther papers | 2017
Polygeneration of hydrogen and a gas mixture composed of H2 and CH4 via sorption enhanced reforming of biomass
Kraussler M, Priscak J, Benedikt F, Hofbauer H. Polygeneration of hydrogen and a gas mixture composed of H2 and CH4 via sorption enhanced reforming of biomass. 25th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (oral presentation). June 2017, Stockholm, Sweden.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2010
PM emissions from old and modern biomass combustion systems and their health effects
Kelz J, Brunner T, Obernberger I, Hirvonen M, Javala P. PM emissions from old and modern biomass combustion systems and their health effects, 18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition 2010, 3rd-7th of May 2010, Lyon, France. p 1231-1243.
Details AbstractOther papers | 2024
Plastic residues co-gasification in fixed bed systems
Martini S, Wopienka E, Gollinger T, Sarsteiner J, Kienzl N. Plastic residues co-gasification in fixed bed systems. Centre's Day 2024
Download PDF DetailsReports | 2021
Planung zellularer Energiesysteme
Teil 1: Effektive integrierte Investitions- und Betriebsplanung von Energiezellen
VDE Verband der Elektrotechnik e.V. Energietechnische Gesellschaft (ETG)
External Link Details AbstractIn einem zellularen Energiesystem wird die physikalische Balance zwischen Energieangebot und -nachfrage so weit als möglich bereits auf regionaler, lokaler Ebene hergestellt. Der zentrale Baustein dabei ist die Energiezelle. Sie kann Energie in Form von Wärme, Elektrizität oder Gas aufnehmen und/oder Elektrizität und Wärme (z. B. aus erneuerbaren Energien) selbst erzeugen, um so den eigenen Wärme- und Elektrizitätsbedarf zu decken. Energieüberschüsse können (elektrisch und/oder thermisch) gespeichert oder anderen Zellen im Nahbereich oder einem Energieversorger zur Verfügung gestellt werden. Ein Energiezellenmanagement kann in Koordination mit Nachbarzellen den Ausgleich von Erzeugung und Verbrauch über alle vorhandenen Energieformen organisieren.
Die Planung und der Betrieb zellularer Energiesysteme ist eine komplexe Aufgabe, da eine Vielzahl von dezentralen Energietechnologien, verschiedenste Ziele und auch Entscheidungsträger berück-sichtigt werden müssen.
Der vorliegende VDE Impuls beschreibt als ersten Schritt die Planung einer Energiezelle, welche mit Energieversorgern interagieren kann. Er ist der Auftakt einer Reihe weiterer Veröffentlichungen zur detaillierten Planung von Energiezellen und zellularen Energiesystemen.
Peer reviewed papers | 2019
Planning and implementation of bankable microgrids
Stadler M, Nasle A. Planning and implementation of bankable microgrids. The Electricity Journal 2019. 32:24-29.
External Link Details AbstractCurrently, many Microgrid projects remain financially uncertain and not bankable for institutional investors due to major challenges in existing planning and design methods that require multiple, complex steps and software tools.
Existing techniques treat every Microgrid project as a unique system, resulting in expensive, non-standardized approaches and implementations which cannot be compared. That is, it is not possible to correlate the results from different planning methods performed by different project developers and/or engineering companies.
This very expensive individual process cannot guarantee financial revenue streams, cannot be reliably audited, impedes pooling of multiple Microgrid projects into a financial asset class, nor does it allow for wide-spread and attractive Microgrid and Distributed Energy Resource projects deployment.
Thus, a reliable, integrated, and streamlined process is needed that guides the Microgrid developer and engineer through conceptual design, engineering, detailed electrical design, implementation, and operation in a standardized and data driven approach, creating reliable results and financial indicators that can be audited and repeated by investors and financers.
This article describes the steps and methods involved in creating bankable Microgrids by relying on an integrated Microgrid planning software approach that unifies proven technologies and tested planning methods, researched and developed by the United States National Laboratory System as well as the US Department of Energy, to reduce design times.
Other Publications | 2024
Piloting biochar feedstock conversion - 5 potential value chains for bio-based material
Schwabl M, Sedlmayer I, Carlon E, Moser K, Schwarz M. Piloting biochar feedstock conversion - 5 potential value chains for bio-based material. Centre's Day 2024.
Download PDF DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2019
Photoautotrophic production of poly-hydroxybutyrate – First detailed cost estimations
Panuschka S, Drosg B, Ellersdorfer M, Meixner K, Fritz I. Photoautotrophic production of poly-hydroxybutyrate – First detailed cost estimations. Algal Research 2019.41:101558.
External Link Details AbstractPolitical, economic and ecological reasons have recently been leading to efforts to replace fossil hydrocarbons and their products in a sustainable way. In order to replace fossil-based polymers, photoautotrophically produced polyhydroxybutryrates (PHBs), which are intracellular carbon storage products of nutrient-deprived microorganisms, seem to be a promising, biobased and biodegradable alternative. Although laboratory and pilot scale experiments have already been performed, no economic evaluation has been carried out so far. Consequently, valid claims on PHB production costs and the influence of different parameters, such as intracellular PHB-content, choice of cultivation system or location, cannot be made. In this study potential demonstration plants, equipped with different photoautotrophic cultivation systems and located at two sites, were designed to identify key parameters for a successful economic realization and implementation. Material and energy balances were determined to reveal specific PHB production costs for four different scenarios. Raw material and operating supply costs, expenditures for plant construction and operation as well as product amounts were determined using literature data for specified results from laboratory and pilot scale experiments. The lowest calculated PHB production price (24 € kg−1) accomplished in a thin-layer-system plant located in Southern Europe with 60% PHB-content of the produced biomass is significantly higher than the current market price of heterotrophically produced PHB. The most important cost factors in all scenarios are cultivation and harvesting costs accounting for 62 to 72% of the total specific production costs, followed by maintenance costs with a cost share of 11 to 14%. Therefore, the choice of a suitable cultivation system is the key driving factor for an economic PHB-production due to the currently high investment costs for photosynthetic biomass production systems. Specific production costs for a Southern compared to a Central European location amount to almost half of the costs.
Reports | 2022
PHB Producing Cyanobacteria Found in the Neighborhood— Their Isolation, Purification and Performance Testing
Meixner K, Daffert C, Bauer L, Drosg B, Fritz I. PHB Producing Cyanobacteria Found in the Neighborhood— Their Isolation, Purification and Performance Testing. 2022.9:178
External Link Details AbstractCyanobacteria are a large group of prokaryotic microalgae that are able to grow photo-autotrophically by utilizing sunlight and by assimilating carbon dioxide to build new biomass. One of the most interesting among many cyanobacteria cell components is the storage biopolymer polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a member of the group of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Cyanobacteria occur in almost all habitats, ranging from freshwater to saltwater, freely drifting or adhered to solid surfaces or growing in the porewater of soil, they appear in meltwater of glaciers as well as in hot springs and can handle even high salinities and nutrient imbalances. The broad range of habitat conditions makes them interesting for biotechnological production in facilities located in such climate zones with the expectation of using the best adapted organisms in low-tech bioreactors instead of using “universal” strains, which require high technical effort to adapt the production conditions to the organism‘s need. These were the prerequisites for why and how we searched for locally adapted cyanobacteria in different habitats. Our manuscript provides insight to the sites we sampled, how we isolated and enriched, identified (morphology, 16S rDNA), tested (growth, PHB accumulation) and purified (physical and biochemical purification methods) promising PHB-producing cyanobacteria that can be used as robust production strains. Finally, we provide a guideline about how we managed to find potential production strains and prepared others for basic metabolism studies.
Conference presentations and posters | 2020
PHB from cyanobacteria - Why phototrophic biotechnology is interesting for Europe.
Fritz I, Drosg B, Meixner K, Daffert C, Troschl C, Silvestrini L. PHB from cyanobacteria - Why phototrophic biotechnology is interesting for Europe. Eurobiotech 2020. 24-26 September 2020.
DetailsOther papers | 2016
Phase Sewparation Behaviour of FAME and Water
Bardolf R, Thoma C, Bosch K, Rauch R, Hofbauer H. Phase Sewparation Behaviour of FAME and Water. 24th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (poster). June 2016, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
DetailsOther Publications | 2019
Pflanzenkohle-Design - Beeinflussung der Kohleeigenschaften durch gezielte Prozessführung in der Herstellung
Martini S. Pflanzenkohle-Design - Beeinflussung der Kohleeigenschaften durch gezielte Prozessführung in der Herstellung. Big Biochar Day No 3. September 2019.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2014
Performances of a non-sulfided CoMo/SiO2-Al2O3 hydrocracking catalyst used in BtL Technology
Sauciuc A, Ganea R, Dumitrescu L, Rauch R, Hofbauer H. Performances of a non-sulfided CoMo/SiO2-Al2O3 hydrocracking catalyst used in BtL Technology, 4th International Symposium on Gasification and its Applications (iSGA-4) 2014, 2nd-5th of September 2014, Vienna, Austria.
DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2017
Performance of a water gas shift unit processing tar-rich product gas from a commercial dual fluidized bed biomass steam gasification plant which operates at partial load
Kraussler M, Binder M, Hofbauer H. Performance of a water gas shift unit processing tar-rich product gas from a commercial dual fluidized bed biomass steam gasification plant which operates at partial load. International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology. 2017;14(1-2): 32-48.
External Link Details AbstractIn this paper, the performance of a water gas shift unit processing product gas from a commercial dual fluidised bed biomass steam gasification plant is studied. The experiments were carried out during a partial load operation of the gasification plant. In order to investigate a water gas shift process, a water gas shift unit, located at the site of the gasification plant in Oberwart, Austria, was used. The water gas shift unit consisted of three reactors in series filled with a commercial Fe'Cr-based catalyst and was operated with tar-rich product gas. No performance decrease of the water gas shift unit was observed during the partial load operation of the gasification plant. Furthermore, a CO conversion of 92% and a GCMS tar reduction of about 30% were reached. In addition, it was found that partial load operation of the gasification plant did not negatively affect the performance of the water gas shift unit.
Other papers | 2015
Performance of a Water Gas Shift Unit Processing Product Gas from Biomass Steam Gasification
Kraussler M, Binder M, Fail S, Rauch R, Bosch K, Hackel M, Hofbauer H. Performance of a Water Gas Shift Unit Processing Product Gas from Biomass Steam Gasification. 23rd European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (oral presentation). June 2015, Vienna, Austria.
DetailsOther papers | 2015
Performance of a water gas shift pilot plant processing tar-rich product gas from a commercial biomass steam gasification plant operating at partial load conditions
Kraussler M, Binder M, Hofbauer H. Performance of a water gas shift pilot plant processing tar-rich product gas from a commercial biomass steam gasification plant operating at partial load conditions. International Bioenergy Exhibition and Asian Bioenergy Conference 2015. October 2015, Shanghai, China.
DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2015
Performance of a water gas shift pilot plant processing product gas from an industrial scale biomass steam gasification plant
Kraussler M, Binder M, Fail S, Bosch K, Hackel M, Hofbauer H. Performance of a water gas shift pilot plant processing product gas from an industrial scale biomass steam gasification plant. Biomass and Bioenergy. 4 August 2015;89:50-57.
External Link Details AbstractIn this paper, the performance of a commercial Fe/Cr based catalyst for the water gas shift reaction was investigated. The catalyst was used in a water gas shift pilot plant which processed real product gas from a commercial biomass steam gasification plant with two different qualities: extracted before and extracted after scrubbing with a rapeseed methyl ester gas scrubber. The performance of the WGS pilot plant regarding these two different gas qualities was investigated. For this reason, extensive chemical analyses were carried out. CO, CO2, CH4, N2, O2, C2H6, C2H4, and C2H2 and H2S, COS, and C4H4 S were measured. In addition, GCMS tar and NH3 analyses were performed. Furthermore, the catalyst's activity was observed by measuring the temperature profiles along the reactors of the water gas shift pilot plant. During the 200 h of operation with both product gas qualities, no catalyst deactivation could be observed. A CO conversion up to 93% as well as a GCMS tar reduction (about 28%) along the water gas shift pilot plant was obtained. Furthermore, a specific H2 production of 63 g H2 per kg biomass (dry and ash free) was reached with both product gas qualities. No significant performance difference could be observed.
Other papers | 2013
Performance of a pellet boiler fired with agricultural fuels
Carvalho L, Wopienka E, Pointner C, Lundgren J, Verma VK, Haslinger W, et al. Performance of a pellet boiler fired with agricultural fuels. Appl Energy. 2013;104:286-96.
External Link Details AbstractThe increasing demand for woody biomass increases the price of this limited resource, motivating the growing interest in using woody materials of lower quality as well as non-woody biomass fuels for heat production in Europe. The challenges in using non-woody biomass as fuels are related to the variability of the chemical composition and in certain fuel properties that may induce problems during combustion. The objective of this work has been to evaluate the technical and environmental performance of a 15. kW pellet boiler when operated with different pelletized biomass fuels, namely straw (Triticum aestivum), Miscanthus (Miscanthus× giganteus), maize (Zea mays), wheat bran, vineyard pruning (from Vitis vinifera), hay, Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and wood (from Picea abies) with 5% rye flour. The gaseous and dust emissions as well as the boiler efficiency were investigated and compared with the legal requirements defined in the FprEN 303-5 (final draft of the European standard 303-5). It was found that the boiler control should be improved to better adapt the combustion conditions to the different properties of the agricultural fuels. Additionally, there is a need for a frequent cleaning of the heat exchangers in boilers operated with agricultural fuels to avoid efficiency drops after short term operation. All the agricultural fuels satisfied the legal requirements defined in the FprEN 303-5, with the exception of dust emissions during combustion of straw and Sorghum. Miscanthus and vineyard pruning were the best fuels tested showing comparable emission values to wood combustion. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.
Other papers | 2017
Performance of a mixed alcohol synthesis lab-scale process chain operated with wood gas from dual fluidized bed biomass steam gasification
Binder M, Weber G, Rauch R, Hofbauer H. Performance of a mixed alcohol synthesis lab-scale process chain operated with wood gas from dual fluidized bed biomass steam gasification. 5th Central European Biomass Conference (Poster). January 2017, Graz, Austria.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2018
Performance improvement of model-based control strategies in large-scale solar plants and its implementation details
Innerhofer P, Unterberger V, Luidolt P, Lichtenegger K, Gölles M. Performance improvement of model-based control strategies in large-scale solar plants and its implementation details. 5th International Solar District Heating Conference SDH. Graz, Austria: 2018.
DetailsOther papers | 2013
Performance improvement of dual fluidized bed gasifiers by temperature reduction: The behavior of tar species in the product gas
Kirnbauer F, Wilk V, Hofbauer H. Performance improvement of dual fluidized bed gasifiers by temperature reduction: The behavior of tar species in the product gas. Fuel. 2013;108:534-42.
External Link Details AbstractTo meet the aims of the worldwide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, product gas from biomass steam gasification in DFB (dual fluidized bed) gasification plants can play an important role for the production of electricity, fuel for transportation and chemicals. Using a catalytically active bed material, such as olivine, brings advantages concerning tar reduction in the product gas. Experience from industrial scale gasification plants showed that a modification of the olivine occurs during operation due to the interaction of the bed material with ash components from the biomass and additives. This interaction leads to a calcium-rich layer on the bed material particles which influences the gasification properties and reduces tar concentration in the product gas. In this paper, the influence on the gasification performance, product gas composition and tar formation of a reduction of the gasification temperature are studied. A variation of the gasification temperature from 870 °C to 750 °C was carried out in a 100 kW pilot plant. A reduction of the gasification temperature down to 750 °C reduces the concentration of hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the product gas and increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and methane. The product gas volume produced per kg of fuel is reduced at lower gasification temperatures but the calorific value of the product gas increases. The volumetric concentration of tars in the product gas increases slightly until 800 °C and nearly doubles when decreasing the gasification temperature to 750 °C. The tars detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) were classified into substance groups and related to the fuel input to the gasifier and showed a decrease in naphthalenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and an increase in phenols, aromatic compounds and furans when reducing the gasification temperature. The comparison with results from an earlier study, where the gasification properties of unused fresh olivine were compared with used olivine, underlines the importance of a long retention time of the bed material in the gasifier, ensuring the formation of a calcium-rich layer in the bed material. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Other papers | 2019
Performance evaluation of an electrostatic precipitator in a small-scale biomass boiler by using different biomass feedstocks
Kelz J, Zemann C, Muschick D, Hofmeister G, Gölles M. & Retschitzegger S. Performance evaluation of an electrostatic precipitator in a small-scale biomass boiler by using different biomass feedstocks. Proceedings 27th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 27-31 May 2019, Lisbon, Portugal.1932-1938.
External Link Details AbstractIn order to evaluate the performance of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP), comprehensive test runs investigating both particulate matter (PM) and gaseous emissions were performed by using softwood pellets as well as alternative biomass feedstocks such as short rotation coppice (poplar) and biomass residues (maize). An ESP was directly integrated in a commercially available small-scale biomass boiler. Based on wet chemical analyses of the fuels, so-called fuel indexes were calculated to deliver primary information on the expected combustion behaviour. The overall aim was to determine appropriate operating conditions, to optimise combustion parameters in order to minimise PM and gaseous emissions as well as to inhibit ash related problems. This was done by an efficient combination of primary (air staging in combination with an innovative control system) and secondary measures (integration of an ESP) and showed an enormous potential for both, a stable plant operation and reduced PM emissions. Thus the findings provide the basis for developing a fuel flexible, low emission and highly efficient biomass boiler in the sector of small-scale combustion systems.
Peer reviewed papers | 2020
Performance Comparison between Two Established Microgrid Planning MILP Methodologies Tested On 13 Microgrid Projects
Stadler M, Pecenak Z, Mathiesen P, Fahy K, Kleissl J. Performance Comparison between Two Established Microgrid Planning MILP Methodologies Tested On 13 Microgrid Projects. Energies.2020;13:446
External Link Details AbstractMixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) optimization algorithms provide accurate and clear solutions for Microgrid and Distributed Energy Resources projects. Full-scale optimization approaches optimize all time-steps of data sets (e.g., 8760 time-step and higher resolutions), incurring extreme and unpredictable run-times, often prohibiting such approaches for effective Microgrid designs. To reduce run-times down-sampling approaches exist. Given that the literature evaluates the full-scale and down-sampling approaches only for limited numbers of case studies, there is a lack of a more comprehensive study involving multiple Microgrids. This paper closes this gap by comparing results and run-times of a full-scale 8760 h time-series MILP to a peak preserving day-type MILP for 13 real Microgrid projects. The day-type approach reduces the computational time between 85% and almost 100% (from 2 h computational time to less than 1 min). At the same time the day-type approach keeps the objective function (OF) differences below 1.5% for 77% of the Microgrids. The other cases show OF differences between 6% and 13%, which can be reduced to 1.5% or less by applying a two-stage hybrid approach that designs the Microgrid based on down-sampled data and then performs a full-scale dispatch algorithm. This two stage approach results in 20–99% run-time savings.
Other papers | 2008
Pelletfeuerungen mit thermoelektrischer Stromerzeugung
Friedl G, Moser W, Griesmayr S. Pelletfeuerungen mit thermoelektrischer Stromerzeugung, 10. Holzenergiesymposium 2008, 12th of September, Zürich, Swiss.
DetailsOther Publications | 2014
Pellet off-gassing during storage: The impact of storage conditions and type of source material
Meier, F. Pellet off-gassing during storage: The impact of storage conditions and type of source material, Master Thesis, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, Vienna, Austria, 2014.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2012
Particulate matter emissions from small-scale biomass combustion systems – characterisation and primary measures for emission reduction
Brunner T. Particulate matter emissions from small-scale biomass combustion systems – characterisation and primary measures for emission reduction, IEA Bioenergy Conference 2012, 13th-15th of November 2012, Vienna, Austria.
DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2017
Particulate emissions from modern and old technology wood combustion induce distinct time-dependent patterns of toxicological responses in vitro.
Happo MS, Hirvonen MR, Uski O, Kasurinen S, Kelz J, Brunner T, Obernberger I, Jalava PI. Particulate emissions from modern and old technology wood combustion induce distinct time-dependent patterns of toxicological responses in vitro. Toxicology in Vitro. Volume 44, October 2017, Pages 164-171
Toxicology in Vitro.
External Link Details AbstractToxicological characterisation of combustion emissions in vitro are often conducted with macrophage cell lines, and the majority of these experiments are based on responses measured at 24 h after the exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate how significant role time course plays on toxicological endpoints that are commonly measured in vitro. The RAW264.7 macrophage cell line was exposed to PM1 samples (150 μg/ml) from biomass combustion devices representing old and modern combustion technologies for 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 32 h. After the exposure, cellular metabolic activity, cell membrane integrity, cellular DNA content, DNA damage and production of inflammatory markers were assessed. The present study revealed major differences in the time courses of the responses, statistical differences between the studied samples mostly limiting to differences between modern and old technology samples. Early stage responses consisted of disturbances in metabolic activity and cell membrane integrity. Middle time points revealed increases in chemokine production, whereas late-phase responses exhibited mostly increased DNA-damage, decreased membrane integrity and apoptotic activity. Altogether, these results implicate that the time point of measurement has to be considered carefully, when the toxicity of emission particles is characterised in in vitro study set-ups.
Peer reviewed papers | 2024
Part 2─Tailoring of Pyrolytic Char Properties with a Single Particle CFD Model with a Focus on the Impact of Shrinking, Vapor Cracking, and Char Permeability
Maziarka P, Kienzl N, Dieguez-Alonso A, Prins W, Arauzo PJ, Skreiberg Ø, Anca-Couce A, Manyà JJ, Ronsse F. Part 2─Tailoring of Pyrolytic Char Properties with a Single Particle CFD Model with a Focus on the Impact of Shrinking, Vapor Cracking, and Char Permeability. Energy & Fuels. 6 June 2024. Volume 38 (11): 9772 - 9793. 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c00942
External Link Details AbstractThe prediction of the structural properties of biobased carbonaceous materials of pyrolytic origin (chars) with only base feedstock properties and process conditions still poses a challenge that hinders char tailoring for novel applications. CFD modeling of single biomass particle conversion can help solve this issue since it allows for the quantification of relations between parameters that are difficult to measure. A model for char tailoring must include a validated representation of the structural changes coupled to all other relevant phenomena occurring during conversion. Part 2 of this study focuses on finding the description of the mentioned aspects to achieve the highest precision of prediction of the structural changes in char by a CFD model. The investigation in Part 2 is composed of three cases focused on accurate description and prediction of (1) bulk density and porosity, (2) secondary vapor reactions on yields and soot formation, and (3) permeability, as well as the outflux and conversion of evolved vapors. The experimental results from Part 1 and the literature data were used to find appropriate descriptions of phenomena and assess the accuracy of the model. The model results indicate that for both particle lengths (10 and 16 mm), a high accuracy of prediction of base structural parameters was achieved. The average prediction error for temperatures between 400 and 840 °C of bulk density was 31 ± 15 kg/m3, and the porosity was 1.8 ± 1.1 vol %. The results also show a low error in the prediction of bulk product yields (dry basis) over the mentioned temperature range, which were: for char 2.8 ± 1.1 wt %, for the condensable fraction 6.5 ± 3.3 wt %, and for the pyrolysis gas 4.1 ± 1.9 wt %. The distribution of secondary char formation was found to be nonuniform below 500 °C. The changes in permeability had a minor influence on the vapor outflux but a non-negligible effect on the soot formation, especially at 840 °C. The results indicate a need for further improvement of the primary degradation model to increase the accuracy of the effect of soot formation on the char structure.
Peer reviewed papers | 2024
Part 1─Impact of Pyrolysis Temperature and Wood Particle Length on Vapor Cracking and Char Porous Texture in Relation to the Tailoring of Char Properties
Maziarka P, Kienzl N, Dieguez-Alonso A, Fierro V, Celzard A, Arauzo PJ, Hedin N, Prins W, Anca-Couce A, Manyà JJ, Ronsse F. Part 1─Impact of Pyrolysis Temperature and Wood Particle Length on Vapor Cracking and Char Porous Texture in Relation to the Tailoring of Char Properties. Energy & Fuels. 6 June 2024. 38 (11): 9751 - 9771. 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c00937
External Link Details AbstractPore size distribution is a key parameter in the performance of biobased pyrolytic char in novel applications. In industrial-scale production, the size of feedstock particles typically exceeds a few millimeters. For such particle sizes, it is a challenge to tailor the final properties of the char based only on the process conditions (experimental and modeling-wise). Pyrolysis studies of single particles larger than a few millimeters provide data sets useful for modeling and optimization of the process. Part 1 of this research focused on the pyrolysis of single particles of beech wood, secondary cracking, and its effect on the char porous texture. It contains a quantitative assessment of the effects of five conversion temperatures (from 300 to 840 °C) and two particle dimensions (Ø8 × 10 mm and Ø8 × 16 mm) on the composition of the pyrolysis vapors and pore morphology of the char. Results from real-time temperature and mass changes are presented along with release profiles of 15 vapor constituents measured by infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, characterization of the collected bio-oil (using GC-MS/FID) and the textural hierarchical structured char (through N2 and CO2 adsorption, Hg porosimetry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) was performed. Cracking of vapors above 500 °C was compound-specific. The polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) yield, between 680 and 840 °C, increased 5 times for 10 mm particles and 9 times for 16 mm ones. Besides temperature, PAH yield was suspected to correlate with particle length and PAHs/soot deposition in the micropores. Results showed that the macropores accounted for over 80% of the total pore volume, regardless of the temperature and particle length. Increasing the particle length by 60% caused a reduction in the specific surface area (ca. 15% at 840 °C) of the resulting char, mainly due to a reduction in microporosity. Based on the findings, the production conditions for a specific char application are suggested. The obtained data will be used in Part 2 of this research, devoted to subsequent CFD modeling of the process.
Conference presentations and posters | 2015
Parameter Study with Sulfidized Molybdenum Catalyst for Mixed Alcohol Synthesis with Biomass-Derived Synthesis Gas
Weber G, Rauch R, Hofbauer H. Parameter Study with Sulfidized Molybdenum Catalyst for Mixed Alcohol Synthesis with Biomass-Derived Synthesis Gas, 23rd European Biomass Conference 2015, 1st-4th of June 2015, Vienna, Austria. (oral presentation)
External Link DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2023
Overview on flexible bioenergy options and implementation
Thrän D, Mäki E, Lange N, Hennig C, Schmieder U, Schildhauer T, Kiel J, Kroon P, Schipfer F, Philbrook A, Andersson K, Higa C, Gölles M. Overview on flexible bioenergy options and implementation. 7. Mitteleuropäische Biomassekonferenz: CEBC 2023. 20. Jan 2023. Oral presentation.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2016
Overview on advanced biofuels technologies
Bacovsky D. Overview on advanced biofuels technologies. Bioenergy Australia 2016. November 2016, Brisbane, Australia.
DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2013
Overview of Forestry and Wood Fuel Supply Chains in Austria; Investment Costs and Profitability of Biomass Heating Plants in Austria; Business Models from Austria Covering the Entire Wood Heat Supply Chain
Otepka P, Kristöfel C, Strasser C, et al. Guidebook on Local Bioenergy Supply Based on Woody Biomass. Overview of Forestry and Wood Fuel Supply Chains in Austria; Investment Costs and Profitability of Biomass Heating Plants in Austria; Business Models from Austria Covering the Entire Wood Heat Supply Chain. ISBN 978-1-938681-98-1. 2013:2-36;57-112.
DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2019
Overview obstacle maps for obstacle‐aware navigation of autonomous drones
Pestana J, Maurer M, Muschick D, Hofer M, Fraundorfer F. Overview obstacle maps for obstacle-aware navigation of autonomous drones. Journal of Field Robotics 2019.
External Link Details AbstractAchieving the autonomous deployment of aerial robots in unknown outdoor environments using only onboard computation is a challenging task. In this study, we have developed a solution to demonstrate the feasibility of autonomously deploying drones in unknown outdoor environments, with the main capability of providing an obstacle map of the area of interest in a short period of time. We focus on use cases where no obstacle maps are available beforehand, for instance, in search and rescue scenarios, and on increasing the autonomy of drones in such situations. Our vision‐based mapping approach consists of two separate steps. First, the drone performs an overview flight at a safe altitude acquiring overlapping nadir images, while creating a high‐quality sparse map of the environment by using a state‐of‐the‐art photogrammetry method. Second, this map is georeferenced, densified by fitting a mesh model and converted into an Octomap obstacle map, which can be continuously updated while performing a task of interest near the ground or in the vicinity of objects. The generation of the overview obstacle map is performed in almost real time on the onboard computer of the drone, a map of size is created in
, therefore, with enough time remaining for the drone to execute other tasks inside the area of interest during the same flight. We evaluate quantitatively the accuracy of the acquired map and the characteristics of the planned trajectories. We further demonstrate experimentally the safe navigation of the drone in an area mapped with our proposed approach.
Peer reviewed papers | 2017
Overcoming the bottlenecks of anaerobic digestion of olive mill solid waste by two-stage fermentation
Stoyanova E, Lundaa T, Bochmann G, Fuchs W. Overcoming the bottlenecks of anaerobic digestion of olive mill solid waste by two-stage fermentation. Environmental Technology (United Kingdom). 16 February 2017;38(4): 394-405.
External Link DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2015
Outlook for the Project: Future Application and Development of the AshMelT methods
Schwabl M, Wopienka E. AshMelT Workshop “Outlook for the Project: Future Application and Development of the AshMelT methods” (held during de World Sustainable Energy Days 2015), 25th-27th of February, Wels, Austria, 2015.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2020
Optimizing of a hydrogen production plant by optimization of the CO2 removal step
Loipersböck J. Optimizing of a hydrogen production plant by optimization of the CO2 removal step. 6th Central European Biomass Conference (oral presentation) 2020.
External Link Download PDF Details AbstractHydrogen production in 2010 was estimated to 50 Mt/a. 96 % of today’s hydrogen is produced by converting fossil fuels in thermochemical processes. As main conversion technology steam reforming of natural gas and naphtha has been established. Hydrogen is mainly used in refineries, for ammonia production and in several chemical production plants. Hydrogen is also seen as a promising alternative energy carrier for the transport sector. Therefor an increasing demand on hydrogen over the next years can be assumed.
To substitute fossil produced hydrogen several renewable hydrogen routes have been established. Beside electrolysis of water also steam reforming of biogas, methane pyrolysis and gasification technologies have been developed. This work will focus on hydrogen production based on dual fluidized bed gasification of biomass.
Dual fluidized bed gasification gives the possibility to establish a renewable hydrogen production route and substitute fossil fuels. A hydrogen production plant consisting of a dual fluidized bed gasifier, a water gas shift stage, a CO2 removal, a pressure swing adsorption and a steam reformer were erected and operated over 1000 h. The gathered data was validated and a model for up-scaling was developed. A benchmark size of 10 MW fuel input power was used as base for economic estimations. As described in previous work an overall efficiency of 55 % can be achieved, which is comparable to alternative technologies. Compared to other renewable routes, hydrogen production based on dual fluidized bed gasification gives the possibility of a fuel flexible system for continuous hydrogen production.
Hydrogen production derived by DFB gasification of wood is a reliable process, which needs to be optimized due to economic reasons. Special attention has to be paid on the CO2 removal, to obtain an economic efficient process.
In this study a parameter variation of the CO2 removal, which consists of absorption and desorption column, was done. Mono-ethanol-amine (MEA) was used as a solvent. One focus of the experimental investigations was the desorption at low temperatures to gain the possibility of using temperature levels which are common in district heat grids. For the experiments real synthesis gas with impurities was used. Over the gas cleaning steps of the hydrogen production plant, impurities were removed and hydrogen content was increased. To increase the efficiency of the CO2 removal and further the hydrogen production, a parameter study was done. A good correlation between separation efficiency and desorption temperature could be observed.
Economics were calculated comparing natural gas steam reforming, electrolysis and hydrogen production based dual fluidized bed gasification. First results show a high potential for establishing the BioH2 plant as a commercial production plant. An economic plant operation with wood chips can be achieved at plant sizes of 20-30 MW fuel input power. A switch to lower quality biomass can reduce the economic feasible plant size even further.
Keywords: hydrogen, up-scaling, economics, CO2 removal
Other Publications | 2023
Optimized Planning of Microgrids and Smart Energy Communities
Aigenbauer S, Stadler M, Liedtke P, Sturmlechner R, Maier C, Mansoor M, Oberbauer C, Alavi F, Houben N, Haas R. Optimized Planning of Microgrids and Smart Energy Communities. BEST Center Day. 28 June 2023
Download PDF Details AbstractMicrogrids generate and store energy for self consumption (electricity, heating, cooling, etc.). Decentralized and renewable generation and storage technologies, as well as energy strategies increase efficiency, resilience, grid stability, independency of imports, sustainability, and climate neutrality.
Other papers | 2024
Optimized Planning of Distributed Multi-Energy-Systems
Oberbauer C, Aigenbauer S, Zillner L, Mair C, Sturmlechner R, Liedtke P, Haas R. Optimized Planning of Distributed Multi-Energy-Systems. Centre's Day 2024.
Download PDF DetailsOther Publications | 2018
Optimization of Heating, Electricits and Cooling Services in a Microgrid to Increase the Efficiency and Reliability
Lichtenegger K, Stadler M, Moser A, Zellinger M, Muschick D, Gölles M, Steinlechner M, Ayoub T, Gerardts B. Optimization of Heating, Electricits and Cooling Services in a Microgrid to Increase the Efficiency and Reliability. PoserGen Europe Wien, 20. Juni 2018
External Link Details AbstractWe briefly review the general concept and expected market potential of microgrids, then discuss the
optimization challenges associated with planning local cross-sectorial energy systems. A fair technology-
neutral approach to this optimization task leads to a hard problem, which has to be tackled with
advanced methods of mathematical optimization.
The power of this approach is illustrated in a case study, concerning the replacement of heating systems
in an alpine valley. In this case study we see both the potential for cost reduction and for the reduction
of CO2 emissions by an integrated planning approach
Peer reviewed papers | 2015
Optimization of a 50 MW bubbling fluidized bed biomass combustion chamber by means of computational particle fluid dynamics
Kraft S, Kuba M, Kirnbauer F, Bosch K, Hofbauer H. Optimization of a 50 MW bubbling fluidized bed biomass combustion chamber by means of computational particle fluid dynamics. Biomass and Bioenergy. 4 August 2015;89:31-39.
External Link Details AbstractAn efficient utilization of biomass fuels in power plants is often limited by the melting behavior of the biomass ash, which causes unplanned shutdowns of the plants. If the melting temperature of the ash is locally exceeded, deposits can form on the walls of the combustion chamber. In this paper, a bubbling fluidized bed combustion chamber with 50 MW biomass input is investigated that severely suffers deposit build-up in the freeboard during operation. The deposit layers affect the operation negatively in two ways: they act as an additional heat resistance in regions of heat extraction, and they can come off the wall and fall into the bed and negatively influence the fluidization behavior. To detect zones where ash melting can occur, the temperature distribution in the combustion chamber is calculated numerically using the commercial CPFD (computational particle fluid dynamics) code, Barracuda Version 15. Regions where the ash melting temperature is exceeded are compared with the fouling observed on the walls in the freeboard. The numerically predicted regions agree well with the observed location of the deposits on the walls. Next, the model is used to find an optimized operating point with fewer regions in which the ash melting temperature is exceeded. Therefore, three cases with different distributions of the inlet gas streams are simulated. The simulations show if the air inlet streams are moved from the freeboard to the necking area above the bed a more even temperature distribution is obtained over the combustion chamber. Hence, the areas where the ash melting temperatures are exceeded are reduced significantly and the formation of deposits in the optimized operational mode is much less likely.
Conference presentations and posters | 2020
Optimization based planning of energy systems
Zellinger M, Optimization based planning of energy systems. 6th Central European Biomass Conference, 22-24 January 2020, Graz.
Download PDF DetailsOther Publications | 2019
Optimization Based Design and Control of Distributed Energy Resources and Microgrids
Stalder M, Optimization Based Design and Control of Distributed Energy Resources and Microgrids. LetsCluster, Lighthouse Summit in the heart of Europe: Smart Energy Generation - Management - Optimization, Smart Home / Building, Interface to the Smart Grid, Microgrids, Electric Grid of the Future, Sector Linking, Graz, Österreich, 25 - 27 März 2019
Details Abstract
Conference presentations and posters | 2014
Optimising the heating system of a low energy house
Rimoldi M, Carlon E. Optimising the heating system of a low energy house, Word Sustainable Energy Days next 2014, 26th-28th of February 2014, Wels, Austria.
DetailsOther papers | 2017
Optimisation of the post-consumer and demolition wood supply and value chain
Dißauer C, Kienzl N, Kunter A, Meirhofer M, Pointner C, Schwarzbauer P, Sommersacher P, Strasser C, Wellacher M. Optimisation of the post-consumer and demolition wood supply and value chain. 5th Central European Biomass Conference (Poster). January 2017, Graz, Austria.
DetailsOther Publications | 2017
Optimisation of continuous gas fermentation by immobilisation of acetate-producing Acetobacterium woodii.
Steger, F, Rachbauer L, Windhagauer M, Montgomery LFR, Bochmann G. Optimisation of continuous gas fermentation by immobilisation of acetate-producing Acetobacterium woodii. Anaerobe. Available online 22 June 2017
External Link DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2017
Optimisation of continuous gas fermentation by immobilisation of acetate-producing Acetobacterium woodi
Steger, F, Rachbauer L, Windhagauer M, Montgomery LFR, Bochmann G. Optimisation of continuous gas fermentation by immobilisation of acetate-producing Acetobacterium woodi. Anaerobe. August 2017;46: 96-103
External Link DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2010
Optimisation of biomass grate furnaces with a new 3D packed bed combustion model - on example of a small-scale underfeed stoker furnace
Mehrabian R, Scharler R, Weissinger A, Obernberger I. Optimisation of biomass grate furnaces with a new 3D packed bed combustion model - on example of a small-scale underfeed stoker furnace, 18th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition 2010, 3rd-7th of May 2010, Lyon, France. p 1175-1183.
Details AbstractThe design and optimisation of a biomass grate furnace requires accurate and efficient models for the
combustion process on the grate as well as the turbulent reactive flow in the combustion chamber. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) have been successfully applied for gas phase combustion. However, no numerical models for the biomass packed bed combustion, which can be used as engineering design tools, are commercially available at present. This paper presents an innovative 3D CFD model for biomass packed bed combustion consisting of an Euler-Granular model for hydrodynamics of gas-particle multiphase flow and a thermally thin particle model for combustion of biomass particles. Modelling the particle trajectories and the thermal conversion of each particle in the bed constitutes the simulation of the entire bed combustion. The simulation of a small-scale underfeed stoker furnace of KWB has been successfully performed by the application of the new packed bed combustion model. The positions of the drying, pyrolysis and char burnout zones in the fuel bed as well as the temperature distribution among the particles seem to be plausible and could be confirmed by observations. Furthermore, a good qualitative agreement concerning the flue gas temperatures measured by thermocouples at different positions in the combustion chamber, and CO emissions measured at boiler outlet could be achieved. The new packed bed model provides the advantages of considering the release profiles of species and energy from the fuel bed close to reality and enables to consider the chemical compositions, size and physical properties of the fuel particles as well as the influence of primary air
distribution and grate motion on the particle trajectories.
Other Publications | 2008
Optimierung einer biomassebefeuerten 10 kWth-Mikro-Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung mit Thermoelektrischem Generator
Lohr, M. Optimierung einer biomassebefeuerten 10 kWth-Mikro-Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung mit Thermoelektrischem Generator, Master Thesis, Fachhochschule Oberösterreich, Wels, Austria, 2008.
Details AbstractThe availability of energy is important to our every day lives. Biomass-fuelled heating systems are comfortable and reach an efficiency form over 90 %. With a thermoelectric generator (TEG) it’s possible to convert a part of the heat directly into electrical power and so become self sufficient from electicity. The purpose of this thesis was to optimise an existing prototype of a combined heat and power (CHP) plant based on a pellet heating system and a thermoelectric generator. Balancing the energy flows, especially the losses, was also part of the thesis.
Tests with the prototype were done. Some with the originial prototype, some with additional insulation and some with preheating the combustion air. To examine the part load behaviour, tests were done at 10, 7 and 4 kW fuelheat input.
By insulating the TEG the performance rose from 153 W to 174 W. The insulation and the preheating of the combustion air from room temperature to 350 degree lead to an power output from 194 watt. All at 10 kW fuellheat input. Finally the following conclusions can be drawn: For the series product it is recommended to optimize the insulation of the TEG. As the preheating of the combustion air didn’t lead to the expected effects it should be left out.
Other Publications | 2013
Optimierung des Emissionsverhaltens eines Ofens mittels primären und sekundären Maßnahmen am Beispiel des Scheitholzofens
Rieger, B. Optimierung des Emissionsverhaltens eines Ofens mittels primären und sekundären Maßnahmen am Beispiel des Scheitholzofens, Master Thesis, Fachochschule Technikum Wien, Vienna, Austria, 2013.
Details AbstractThe use of biomass in manually charged room heating appliances to cover the domestic heating demand has traditionally been of a high percentage in the European Union. As a result of continued or even increased use of firewood stoves, the enhancement of available stoves is a declared objective of the European Union.
Therefore, an example-optimization of the firewood stove Stûv 16/78-in (available on the European market) was performed in preparation of this paper. There was a primary- and a secondary optimization carried out to quantify the potential of optimization. When optimizing, the gas and particulate emissions was considered. The operating behavior were measured and evaluated by performing combustion experiments on a specially designed test rig.
The primary optimization is divided into five sub-steps. Each Step was quantified by gas analysis. The achieved reduction of particulate emissions was measured before and after the entire primary optimization.
In comparison to the delivery condition it was possible to reduce the CO emissions to one quarter and the particulate emissions from 100 mg / mn³ to 39 mg / mn³ over the course of the primary optimization.
As a secondary optimization, a Catalyst was implemented. The used catalyst is a solid-state catalyst in the modification of a heterogeneous supported catalyst in the shape of honeycomb, which is marketed by Clariant International Ltd. under the name "EnviCat ® Longlife Plus". The catalytically active materials platinum and palladium are used.
After a strictly implemented primary optimizations, a further reduction to half of emissions was achieved by the integration of the catalyst even though a bypass of 20 % had to be integrated to ensure the operating safety.
Reports | 2022
Optimiertes Regelungs- und Betriebsverhalten thermisch aktivierter Gebäude zukünftiger Stadtquartiere (ÖKO-OPT-AKTIV)
Muschick D, Kaisermayer V, Moser A, Gölles M, Heimrath R, Brandl D, Mach T, Ribas-Tugores C, Ramschak T, Oswald S, Polster M, Lackner F, Eibisberger K, Nebel M. Optimiertes Regelungs- und Betriebsverhalten thermisch aktivierter Gebäude zukünftiger Stadtquartiere (ÖKO-OPT-AKTIV). Stadt der Zukunft 6. Ausschreibung. BMK. Schriftenreihe 60/2023. Jänner, 2022. Deutsch, 76 Seiten.
External Link DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2021
Optimal planning of thermal energy systems in a microgrid with seasonal storage and piecewise affine cost functions
Mansoor M, Stadler M, Zellinger M, Lichtenegger K, Auer H, Cosic A. Optimal planning of thermal energy systems in a microgrid with seasonal storage and piecewise affine cost functions. Energy. 2021:215;119095.
External Link Details AbstractThe optimal design of microgrids with thermal energy system requires optimization techniques that can provide investment and scheduling of the technology portfolio involved. In the modeling of such systems with seasonal storage capability, the two main challenges include the low temporal resolution of available data and the non-linear cost versus capacity relationship of solar thermal and heat storage technologies. This work overcomes these challenges by developing two different optimization models based on mixed-integer linear programming with objectives to minimize the total energy costs and carbon dioxide emissions. Piecewise affine functions are used to approximate the non-linear cost versus capacity behavior. The developed methods are applied to the optimal planning of a case study in Austria. The results of the models are compared based on the accuracy and real-time performance together with the impact of piecewise affine cost functions versus non-piecewise affine fixed cost functions. The results show that the investment decisions of both models are in good agreement with each other while the computational time for the 8760-h based model is significantly greater than the model having three representative periods. The models with piecewise affine cost functions show larger capacities of technologies than non-piecewise affine fixed cost function based models.
Peer reviewed papers | 2020
Optimal operation of residential heating systems with logwood boiler, buffer storage and solar thermal collector
Zemann C, Deutsch M, Zlabinger S, Hofmeister G, Gölles M, Horn M. Optimal operation of residential heating systems with logwood boiler, buffer storage and solar thermal collector. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2020,140:105622.
External Link Details AbstractModern central heating systems with logwood boilers are comprised of the boiler, a buffer storage and solar thermal collectors. Conventional control strategies for these heating systems do not coordinate the utilization of all components. This can lead to a sub-optimal operation of the entire heating system resulting in a loss of efficiency and increased pollutant emissions. This contribution presents a control strategy which considers all components of the heating system including the user and forecasts for the solar yield and heat demand. It determines and carries out an optimal operating strategy that improves the user utility and maximizes the heating system efficiency while also ensuring a clean and efficient combustion. The control strategy continuously learns the user behavior and instructs the user when to refill the logwood boiler and how much fuel to use. The new control strategy was verified through test runs performed at an experimental setup consisting of a commercially available logwood boiler with a nominal capacity of 28 kW , two buffer storages with a capacity of 1.5 m3 each and a heating device with a thermal output of up to 12 kW simulating a solar thermal collector. During these test runs, the CO emissions were reduced 93.6 %by in the main combustion phase, 7.1 % more solar yield was utilized, the buffer losses were reduced by - 16.9 % and the overall efficiency was increased by 3.1 % . Thus, the application of this control strategy resulted in a significantly improved user utility and heating system efficiency.
Other Publications | 2021
Optimal operation of cross-ownership district heating and cooling networks
Muschick D, Kaisermayer V, Gölles M, Horn M.Optimal operation of cross-ownership district heating and cooling networks. 20th European Roundtable on Sustainable Consumption and Production. 9. Sep 2021. Graz. Oral Presentation.
Download PDF DetailsPeer reviewed papers | 2023
Optimal dispatch of a multi-energy system microgrid under uncertainty: a renewable energy community in Austria
Houben N, Cosic A, Stadler M, Mansoor M, Zellinger M, Auer H, Ajanovic A, Haas R. Optimal dispatch of a multi-energy system microgrid under uncertainty: a renewable energy community in Austria. Applied Energy. 1 May 2023.337:120913
External Link Details AbstractMicrogrids can integrate variable renewable energy sources into the energy system by controlling flexible assets locally. However, as the energy system is dynamic, an effective microgrid controller must be able to receive feedback from the system in real-time, plan ahead and take into account the active electricity tariff, to maximize the benefits to the operator. These requirements motivate the use of optimization-based control methods, such as Model Predictive Control to optimally dispatch flexible assets in microgrids. However, the major bottleneck to achieve maximum benefits with these methods is their predictive accuracy. This paper addresses this bottleneck by developing a novel multi-step forecasting method for a Model Predictive Control framework. The presented methods are applied to a real test-bed of a renewable energy community in Austria, where its operational costs and CO2 emissions are benchmarked with those of a rule-based control strategy for Flat, Time-of-Use, Demand Charge and variable energy price tariffs. In addition, the impact of forecast errors and electric battery capacity on energy community operational savings are examined. The key results indicate that the proposed controller can outperform a rule-based dispatch strategy by 24.7% in operational costs and by 8.4% in CO2 emissions through optimal operation of flexibilities if it has perfect foresight. However, if the controller is deployed in a realistic environment, where forecasts for electrical load and PV generation are required, the same savings are reduced to 3.3% for cost and 7.3% for CO2, respectively. In such environments, the proposed controller performs best in highly dynamic tariffs such as Time-of-Use and Real-time pricing rates, achieving real cost savings of up to 6.3%. These results show that the profitability of optimization-based control of microgrids is threatened by forecast errors. This motivates future research on control strategies that compensate for forecast errors in real-world operation and more accurate forecasting methods.
Reports | 2021
OptEnGrid Optimal integration of heat, electricity and gas systems to increase efficiency and reliability
OptEnGrid is a cross-sectoral multi-energy system optimization tool for the optimal planning and dispatch of the Distributed Energy Resource (DER) technologies in smart- and microgrids. The methodology of OptEnGrid considers an optimization model which is based on Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) framework. The following sub-sections provide more details about the energy flow and system optimization inside OptEnGrid and the choice of the optimization over simulation
Other Publications | 2024
Opportunities and limitations to the scale-up of sustainable biofuels via BioTheRoS thermochemical biomass conversion technologies
Bon a, Sagani A, Reumerman P, Vis M, Sonnleitner A, Weber G, Zapata, Espinoza D, Janssen R, Rutz D, Celik D, Christakopoulos, Panaretou V, Kourkoumpas D, Grammelis P. Opportunities and limitations to the scale-up of sustainable biofuels via BioTheRoS thermochemical biomass conversion technologies. Centre's Day 2024
DetailsOther Publications | 2023
Operational optimization and error detection in biomass boilers by model based monitoring: methods and practice
Zemann C, Niederwieser H, Gölles M. Operational optimization and error detection in biomass boilers by model based monitoring: methods and practice. 7. Mitteleuropäische Biomassekonferenz: CEBC 2023. 20. Jan 2023. Oral presentation.
Download PDF Details AbstractOne of the main tasks for operators of medium- and large-scale biomass boilers is the continuous operational monitoring of these plants in order to assess their performance, detect errors and identify possibilities for operational optimization. However, due to the high complexity of this task, errors are frequently detected too late or not at all, which can lead to even more costly secondary errors. In addition, possibilities for optimization remain unused in many existing plants, resulting in unnecessary pollutant emissions and low efficiencies.
To assist operators in performing this task and to achieve a high level of automation, methods for the automated, model-based monitoring of such plants have been focus of recent research activities. In this contribution, we will discuss the numerous possibilities provided by the application of such methods in a practical context. For this purpose, we present selected results from previous activities, demonstrating how methods for model-based monitoring were applied at combustion plants and used to enable automated error detection and support operational optimization.
Exemplary result 1: We developed a soft-sensor which accurately estimates the non-measurable internal state of heat exchangers and implemented it at a large-scale combustion plant with a nominal capacity of 38.2 MW. This soft-sensor uses a dynamic mathematical model of the heat exchanger in combination with measured data to determine a new estimate for the heat exchanger’s internal state every second. Based on this estimate, the soft-sensor accurately detects fouling and determines the non-measurable flue gas mass flow in real time. The estimated flue gas mass flow was used in a model-based control strategy which resulted in significant improvements of the combustion plant’s operational behaviour and load modulation capabilities. These results are discussed in this contribution.
Exemplary result 2: We developed a method for the real-time estimation of non-measurable fuel properties, i.e. chemical composition, bulk density, lower heating value, in biomass boilers. These estimates were subsequently used in a model-based control strategy and enabled the improvement of the biomass boiler’s fuel flexibility. Results of this estimator achieved for different biomass fuels, e.g. poplar wood chips, corncob grits and standard wood pellets, are discussed in this contribution.
On the basis of these selected results, it will be examined which possibilities arise from the use of methods for model-based monitoring in biomass boilers and also how these results can be extended to other technologies such as biomass gasifiers.
Peer reviewed papers | 2021
Operation of coupled multi-owner district heating networks via distributed optimization
Kaisermayer V, Muschick D, Horn M, Gölles M. Operation of coupled multi-owner district heating networks via distributed optimization. Energy Reports. 2021 Okt;7(Suppl. 4):273-281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.08.145
External Link Details AbstractThe growth of district heating and cooling (DHC) networks introduces the possibility of connecting them with neighbouring networks. Coupling networks can save costs by reducing operating hours of peak load or backup boilers, or free up production capacity for network expansion. Optimization-based energy management systems (EMS) already provide operators of individual DHC networks with solutions to the unit commitment and economic dispatch problem. They are especially useful for complex networks with multiple producers and integrated renewable energy sources, where incorporating forecasts is important. Time-dependent constraints and network capacity limitations can easily be considered. For coupled networks, a centralized optimization would provide a minimum with respect to an objective function which can incorporate fuel costs, operational costs and costs for emissions. However, the individual coupled networks are generally owned by different organizations with competing objectives. The centralized solution might not be accepted, as each company aims to optimize its own objective. Additionally, all data has to be shared with a centralized EMS, and it represents a single point of failure. A decentralized EMS may therefore be a better choice in a multi-owner setting. In this article, a novel decentralized EMS is presented that can handle multi-owner structures with cooperative and non-cooperative coupling. Each local EMS solves its own optimization problem, and an iterative Jacobi-style algorithm ensures consensus among the networks. The distributed EMS is compared to a centralized EMS based on a representative real-world example consisting of three coupled district heating networks operated by two companies.
Other Publications | 2021
Operation of Coupled Multi-Owner District Heating Networks via Distributed Optimization
Muschick D, Gölles M, Kaisermayer V, Horn M. Operation of Coupled Multi-Owner District Heating Networks via Distributed Optimization.17th International Symposium on District Heating and Cooling. Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, United Kingdom. 7. Sep 2021. Oral Presentation. [online]
Download PDF Details AbstractThe simultaneous operation of multiple connected heating networks can be handled by optimization techniques. However, a global optimum might not represent a good operating strategy if the networks belong to different owners and thus might habe competing interests. An approach from game theory then needs to be applied, which finds a generalized Nash equilibrium instead.
Conference presentations and posters | 2012
Operation Experience & Developments at Industrial Plants with Dual‐Fluid Gasification
Hofbauer H. Operation Experience & Developments at Industrial Plants with Dual‐Fluid Gasification, 20th European Biomass Conference 2012, 18th-22nd of June 2012, Milano, Italy.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2013
Operation characteristics of a bulk catalyst in a test stand under similar conditions to a firewood stove
Wöhler M, et al. Operation characteristics of a bulk catalyst in a test stand under similar conditions to a firewood stove, Word Sustainable Energy Days next 2013, 27th-28th of February 2013, Wels, Austria.
DetailsConference presentations and posters | 2015
Operation and Efficiency of a Wood-Pellet Fired 5 KWel Stirling
Aigenbauer S, Schnetzinger R, Höftberger E, Schmidl C, Haslinger W. Operation and Efficiency of a Wood-Pellet Fired 5 KWel Stirling, 23rd European Biomass Conference 2015, 1st-4th of June 2015, Vienna, Austria. (visual presentation)
Details