Biogas2PEM-FC project is funded under FP7-SME-2012/EC-GA 314940.
Duration: from November 2012 to October 2014
Biogas2PEM-FC proposed solution will provide a modular, reliable, cost-effective and efficient combined heat & power (CHP) system suitable for a distributed, on-site power generation from agricultural wastes. The originality and innovation of the project can be summarized through the following contributions to technological progress:
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Increase of biogas generation rates using agrifood wastes as raw materials. Anaerobic digestion of this type of vegetable solid waste might be an attractive method for solid waste treatment, because the process enables excellent waste stabilization and energy recovery without any pretreatment of the residue.
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Generation of new low cost biogas reforming technologies. Since both CH4 and CO2 are the main GHG, reforming of biogas not only reduces the amount of GHG emissions, but in fact it recycles and increases the usability of these GHG by producing hydrogen (H2). In addition, when endothermic reforming processes are promoted and heat recovery techniques are introduced (i.e. when the process is coupled with the engine and can utilise the heat of the exhaust gas), the increase in overall efficiency of the reforming process can be significant.
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Power generation from treated biogas by means of PEM fuel cell integrated in the system. High hydrogen concentration and calorific value of the reformate enable the operation of the fuel cell at a high-efficiency mode despite of the high carbon/hydrogen ratio of the bio-fuel. Due to the sharp growth in the energy consumption of the modern economy, accelerated depletion of world fossil fuel resources, growing environmental and energy security concerns, the issue of the development and commercialization of clean, renewable energy sources became crucial for the sustainable development of the modern economy and society.
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Demonstration of techno-economical and environmental feasibility of developed technologies for their implementation at small and medium agrifood companies (SMEs). This will proof the carried out optimization process, because costs would have been lowered.
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Testing of the technological competitiveness of biogas reforming and PEM technologies as renewable and integrated technological solution. By developing this process all the wastes return to the olive oil production cycle, making it more sustainable.
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Promotion of biogas reforming and PEM technologies for their industrial application in distributed power production.
