Gasification technology: Technical issues in the design of gasifiers for the Australian sugar industry

Use of cane processing wastes in a combined cycle gasification power plant offers the potential to increase the electrical export capacity of Australian sugar factories from the current 64 MWe (predominantly seasonal) to 3400 MWe (year round). The Sugar Research Institute (SRI) is a member of the Queensland Biomass Energy Group (QBEG), formed to develop cogeneration options and gasification technology for use in the sugar industry. A detailed study has been undertaken which underpins the activities of QBEG. These activities include the design and construction of a gasification demonstration plant to be located at a Queensland sugar factory in the near future. The relevant technical and financial data for power generation at a nominal 600 tonnes cane per hour (tch) sugar factory are outlined for a number of different operational scenarios. The aim of this paper is to review the technical hurdles in the development of Biomass Integrated Gasification/Combined Cycle (BIG/CC) technology with specific relevance to the gasification of cane wastes (bagasse and cane trash), and the technical and practical issues arising from a recent technology review. Preliminary studies so far undertaken by SRI are discussed. The QBEG BIG/CC research plan is outlined. This is targeted at overcoming the identified technical problems and using this knowledge in the design of a demonstration-scale BIG/CC power plant.