Green Power Initiative Feb. 1-3, 2011 Department of Energy – Office of the Biomass Program P. Barry Butler, Ph.D. Interim Executive Vice President and Provost University of Iowa Presented by Project Participants: Professor Albert Ratner & Associate Director P. Ferman Milster This presentation does not contain any proprietary, confidential, or otherwise restricted information

Click to edit the title text format Install an institutional size biomass boiler, coupled to a research gasifier with the new biomass boiler supplying steam into an existing district energy system at a satellite campus. Research gasifier will provide a platform to move beyond bench-top- scale biomass fuel testing, and enable steady state production of syngas for testing and study. Syngas produced in the research gasifier will be burned in the biomass boiler. A number of biomass fuel sources will be tested in the research gasifier, both individually and in blends, to characterize syngas generation. Suitable fuel mixes will be scaled up and operated in the new biomass boiler for extended periods of time. Knowledge gained from this work will be disseminated in academic journals, short courses, trade journals, and conference presentations. 2 Project Synopsis

3 Green Power Initiative Project start date: JUL 2009 Project end date: SEP 2012 –Boiler Start-up Planned: Q –Research Gasifier Start-up: Q Boiler/Gasifier Project Bid Opening: JAN 13, 2011 Delayed start of construction due to project complexity Equipment - $2,870,165 –DOE share : 32.1% –University of Iowa share: 67.9% Research - $265,000 –DOE share : 35.8% –University of Iowa share: 64.2% Timeline Budget Project Development Unique College of Engineering & Facilities Management partnership Significant contribution to University renewable energy sustainability goal of 40% by 2020 Project Participants

Spending (DOE Portion) Equipment Spending To Date Research Spending To Date Time Spending (Thousands of Dollars)

Click to edit the title text format 5 Project Schedule

Click to edit the title text format 6 Project Schedule

Click to edit the title text format Install a biomass boiler and research gasifier to produce steam on a satellite campus. –Build on lab-scale testing and characterization of various biomass fuels, using the research gasifier. –Use the biomass boiler for production scale demonstration of various biomass fuels and fuel blends. Develop short course on gasification –Incorporate into undergraduate coursework (thermodynamics) –Publically available education modules Disseminate research and testing results –Enable easier design of new systems and retrofit of existing facilities –Encourages and assists in the broader adoption of biomass systems 7 Project Approach

Click to edit the title text format Goals and Objectives 1.Showcase and disseminate unique “best practices” on systemic management of biomass power generation programs for other entities of similar size (i.e., large universities, small communities, and industries). –Install an industrial steam biomass boiler in an existing district energy system. –Develop a local fuel market for the biomass boiler, displacing fossil fuel procured out of state, and stimulating the local economy. –Demonstrate to the US district energy industry, other colleges and universities, and the general public a successful transition from natural gas to renewable energy for district heating. 8

Click to edit the title text format Goals and Objectives 2.Integrate undergraduate and graduate level teaching – through classroom studies and experiential learning – and applied research into a biomass-based, university- scale, functioning power plant. 9

Click to edit the title text format 3.Develop guidelines for other universities, cities, and industries worldwide to follow in retrofitting existing utilities to burn biofuels in conjunction with coal and/or natural gas. –Identification of non-traditional sources of biomass fuel (industrial byproducts) –Small and large scale testing and characterization of various biomass fuels and fuel blends Expired seeds Sludge from cardboard recycling Corn cobs and stover Invasive grass species (reed canary grass) 10 Goals and Objectives

Click to edit the title text format 4.Demonstrate, through testing and sustained operation, the application of industry and community waste- streams in renewable energy production, and cost- effective ways to meet energy demands while reducing carbon dioxide emissions. 11 Goals and Objectives

12 Bids opened Jan. 13, 2011 Construction to begin in March 2011 Equipment to be installed by Sept Operational by Dec Current Project Status

13 Existing Heating Plant 4 old natural gas boilers Renewable Energy Plant 3 old natural gas boilers 1 biomass boiler 1 research gasifier Biomass fuel unloading and storage 2 reciprocating engines on landfill gas with heat recovery Current Future Power Plant Conversion

Click to edit the title text format 14 Biomass Boiler Gasification / Combustion Process Gasify biomass fuel in lower portion of furnace (gasification region) Ignition of generated fuel gas in upper region (combustion region) Steam produced in boiler delivered to district energy system for building heating and ventilation, as well as process loads. Gasification Region Combustion Region

Click to edit the title text format 15 Research GasifierBiomass Boiler Gasifier and Boiler System

Click to edit the title text format Small scale testing designed to replicate the conditions inside both the research gasifier and the larger biomass-fueled boiler Continuous measurement of the species evolved during the gasification process Results of lab-based tests are then used to model (and validate against) the behavior measured in the larger systems 16 Lab-Based Fuel Testing

Seed CornPaper SludgeOat Hulls Moisture12.91%46.99%10.43% Volatile Matter74.42%44.99%67.80% Fixed Carbon7.46%0.99%16.55% Ash5.21%7.03%5.22% Total100.00% HV [BTU/lb]8,9103,5566,934 Moisture11.59% 46.99% 10.43% Carbon39.13% 22.97% 43.51% Hydrogen5.50% 2.88% 4.71% Nitrogen1.28% 0.05% 0.65% Chlorine0.04% 0.01% 0.15% Sulfur0.10% 0.07% 0.04% Ash0.83% 7.03% 5.22% Oxygen41.53% 20% 35.44% Total100% Ultimate Analysis Proximate Analysis

Examine decomposition of the biomass through pyrolysis Small Scale Gasifier Sensor Bank Ice Bath Reaction Chamber Heating Torch Heater

Experimental Arrangement

Small Scale Fuel Testing: CO Production 20

Small Scale Fuel Testing: CO 2 Produced 21

Small Scale Fuel Testing: O 2 Depleted 22

Click to edit the title text format Project is proceeding according to the schedule established in Dec Biomass boiler should be installed and operational by Dec Biomass gasifier, for fuels research, should be installed with testing commencing in Jan –Small scale testing has proved to be invaluable in the design process Educational component is proceeding well –Material collection is proceeding as hoped –Course material creation on track for summer of Summary