PROGRESS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF BAGASSE GASIFICATION TECHNOLOGY FOR INCREASED COGENERATION IN THE AUSTRALIAN SUGAR INDUSTRY

Stage I of a major research, development and demonstration program has been completed by the Sugar Research Institute and the University of Queensland on behalf of the Queensland Biomass Integrated Gasification (QBIG) group. The aim of the QBIG group is to develop advanced (gasification) cycles for increased power export from the sugar industry. This first stage is aimed at providing the necessary technical and financial input required to progress the research program to the full prototype development and demonstration stage. The paper describes progress in five critical path components of the project, namely: • The development of an experimental facility to establish the kinetics associated with bagasse char gasification. • The design construction and testing of a unique continuously feeding device for delivering bagasse and blends including other biomass fuels into a pressurised gasifier. • A site-specific technical and economic evaluation of the implementation of bagasse gasification power generation technology located at an Australian raw sugar factory. • The development of a high pressure and temperature experimental facility to determine bagasse ash characteristics during gasification. • The design, construction and testing of a prototype dry cane separation plant as a means of recovering sufficient cane trash as fuel to provide the size and associated economies of scale for the economic viability of gasification technology. An overview of the work to date in these areas as well as future plans, is presented.