What is the Net Energy Yield for Wood Syngas?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the net energy yield of wood syngas derived from wood gasification, specifically using softwood chips. Adam calculated the cost of wood chips at approximately $0.0006/MJ, leading to an estimated cost of $0.0155/kWh when accounting for the efficiency of an internal combustion engine at 14%. Participants highlighted the importance of wood chip moisture content, which significantly affects energy yield, and noted that gasifier efficiencies can reach up to 70%. The conversation also referenced the lower heat of combustion for producer gas compared to traditional fuels.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of wood gasification processes
  • Familiarity with energy density calculations
  • Knowledge of internal combustion engine efficiency
  • Awareness of moisture content effects on biomass energy yield
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  • Research "wood gasification efficiency" to understand conversion rates
  • Explore "energy density of producer gas" for comparative analysis
  • Investigate "moisture content effects on biomass" for accurate calculations
  • Learn about "commercial wood gas generators" and their performance metrics
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This discussion is beneficial for energy researchers, biomass fuel enthusiasts, and anyone involved in alternative energy generation, particularly those interested in the economic viability of wood gas as a fuel source.

Adam9393
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Hello,

My name is Adam and I am experimenting with wood gas. I recently came across a really cheap wood chip source and would like to compare it against electrical utility prices. I am curious if running an old generator would be cheaper than off peak rates of $0.065/kwh.

As of right now, I have calculated that wood chips would cost around $0.0006/MJ (assuming 5 MJ/kg and $3.00/1000kg)

0.0006 x 3.6 MJ= $0.00216 / kwh

Efficiency of internal combustion engine is 0.14. I would need 7x the amount of energy to get 1 kwh.

0.00216 x 7.2 = $0.0155 / kwh.

This is where I am stuck. Does anyone know the net energy yield of wood gasification (softwood chips). If I could factor that into my price will I be pretty close...? Thanks!
 
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Do you know how dry the chips are? That makes a big difference.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas_generator#Design said:
the humidity of the wood (usually 15 to 20%) and the water vapor created by the O- and H-atoms of the dry wood itself (about 0.4 liters of water loaded with organic substances per kg of dry wood) condenses during the gas cooling and filtering procedure and yields a liquid (see also wood tar), which needs specific waste water treatment. This treatment requires about 25 to 35% of the created wood gas energy.

There seems to be a large number of suppliers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas_generator#List_of_commercially_available_systems
If you visit their sites, there might be some efficiency claims.

You should also read the accounts of others who did the same thing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas_generator#Media_coverage
 
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Adam9393 said:
My name is Adam and I am experimenting with wood gas. I recently came across a really cheap wood chip source and would like to compare it against electrical utility prices. I am curious if running an old generator would be cheaper than off peak rates of $0.065/kwh.

As of right now, I have calculated that wood chips would cost around $0.0006/MJ (assuming 5 MJ/kg and $3.00/1000kg)

0.0006 x 3.6 MJ= $0.00216 / kwh

Efficiency of internal combustion engine is 0.14. I would need 7x the amount of energy to get 1 kwh.
I don't understand; are you saying you would use the electricity for electric resistance heat? Why wouldn't you just use the fuel for heat directly like you plan to do with the wood gassification?
This is where I am stuck. Does anyone know the net energy yield of wood gasification (softwood chips). If I could factor that into my price will I be pretty close...? Thanks!
Googling "wood gassification energy density" yielded this:
The heat of combustion of "producer gas" — a term used in the United States meaning wood gas produced for use in a combustion engine — is rather low compared to other fuels. Taylor[13]reports that producer gas has a lower heat of combustion of 5.7 MJ/kg versus 55.9 MJ/kg for natural gas and 44.1 MJ/kg for gasoline. The heat of combustion of wood is typically 15-18 MJ/kg.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wood_gas
 
Adam9393 said:
As of right now, I have calculated that wood chips would cost around $0.0006/MJ (assuming 5 MJ/kg and $3.00/1000kg)

Is it really $3 per ton? Even if it were free, it's hard to believe you can even haul it to your place of use for that.
 
phyzguy said:
Is it really $3 per ton?

Good catch. I missed that. In the south and PNW the prices are $30-$55 per ton.
 
The price really is $3 per tonne. Yes hard to believe..that is why I am super interested. The chips are not great quality and definitely will not be dry. That is why I assume a conservative energy density of 5 MJ/kg. Dry wood chips are around 15-20 MJ/kg. The distance to transport is not far...max 30 kilometers. I will have to factor this in.

For every unit of heat supplied to the gasification process how much gas energy is yielded. In some documents I have read that gasifier efficiencies are 70%. It has been a while since chemistry class... does this value make sense. If I were to use 1 kg of wood chips to heat up 1 kg of the same wood chips in a gasifier, I would be left with 0.7 kg of gas fuel?
 

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