Pre-Commercialization Studies of the Agrilife Research Fluidized Bed Gasification Systems Using Cotton Gin Trash

Project Title: Demonstration of the BAEN TAMU Fluidized Bed Gasification System

Proponent:       Sergio Capareda

                        BAEN Bio-Energy Testing and Analysis Laboratory

Background/Rationale

A considerable amount of time and research dollars have been spent to build a new mobile fluidized bed gasifier (FBG) and assemble this on top of a trailer. This presentation will demonstrate the use of the TAMU-FBG for power generation and other applications to support the bio-energy program of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. When this mobile pilot system is operational, the unit will be a valuable demonstration and research tool to leverage bigger funding in thermal conversion research. A pilot facility that can handle a wide variety of feed stocks being developed by AgriLife Researchers (e.g. high biomass sorghum, miscanthus, energy cane, switchgrass, etc.) as well as projects with the Texas Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) that would require the use of thus unique thermal conversion system is envisioned.

This presentation discusses the progress behind the completed fabrication and demonstration of a new 4 ton per day pilot fluidized bed gasification facility assembled on top of a trailer, ready for field demonstration purposes. The unit was tested using cotton gin trash. Various other feedstocks such as high tonnage sorghum biomass, animal manure, woodchips and other feedstock being developed by Agri-Life researchers have been used for demonstration.