The CHRISGAS project

Abstract

CHRISGAS is the acronym for C lean H ydrogen- ri ch S ynthesis G as), a 5½-year “Flagship” project funded within the EC’s 6th Framework Programme and by the Swedish Energy Agency. 20 partners representing industry and research from 7 EU member states have been involved in the project which commenced in September 2004 and ended in February 2010. Research on the whole value chain from biomass resources, drying, pressurised gasification and other thermo-chemical processing to final synthesis (syngas) gas, as well as plant cost studies including synthesis of vehicle fuels for three full scale production capacities has been covered in the integrated CHRISGAS project ( http://www.chrisgas.com ). From a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas renewable transportation fuels, such as DME (dimethyl ether), FT-diesel and hydrogen can be produced. At the project onset one of the primary aims was to demonstrate the manufacture of a suitable syngas based on biomass gasification at the Värnamo large scale pilot plant. Unfortunately due to insufficient additional funding this aim could not be fulfilled within the timeframe of the project. This paper describes the history and the evolution of the project; it also presents the other papers included in this edition within the context of the work areas of the CHRISGAS project. ► Biomass CFB gasification with gas upgrading to syngas was investigated. ► Investment and production costs were derived for BTL-plants based on gasification. ► A biomass assessment tool (BIORAISE) was developed and made available for free. ► A modified hot gas filter with new features was successfully pilot tested. ► A new piston feeder for biomass to a gasifier was developed and commercialized.