In a research project of ZBT, Emschergenossenschaft and under leadership of University Duisburg-Essen – Siedlungswasser- & Abfallwirtschaft a biological hydrogen production was transferred from lab scale to a medium range technical application. Starting from fermentative hydrogen production, ending with production of electrical energy in a fuel cell and the utilization of the remaining byproducts the whole process chain was represented. The technology was now demonstrated in a semi-technical plant in a modular setup on the premises of Emschergenossenschaft (Emscher Mouth wastewater treatment plant)
ZBT’s mission was to examine the usability of a hydrogen rich biogas in a low temperature fuel cell system. This includes gas treatment and purification and the selection of suitable components for the gas analyses system. The control systems for gas treatment and fuel cell system were set up in modules and integrated in a single user interface. Challenging were especially the removal of sulfur components and ammonia using adsorbents of char coal. Gas purifications reactors were designed and several types of char coals were tested for the removal of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), carbonylsulfid (COS) and mercaptan, that had been detected in product gas of the H2-reactor.
The fuel cell systems was designed to operate safely under rugged conditions on a feed gas containing only small amounts of hydrogen (~30%).
- Department fuel cells and systems
- Department fuel processing
- System technologies at ZBT