OPPORTUNITIES FOR HYDROGEN: AN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICATION OF BIOMASS GASIFICATION TO FARMING OPERATIONS USING MICROTURBINES AND FUEL CELLS

This paper examines the concept of using biomass gasification in conjunction with microturbines or fuel cells to generate electricity for on-farm installations. The biomass farm feedstock would be either switchgrass or wood. Various levels of hydrogen purity required relative to the prime mover are discussed. In general, individual on-farm electricity demand is relatively low (12 kW). Commercial stationary power generation fuel cells are currently available in the 200-kW size range, and many nonstationary power generation proton-exchange membrane fuel cells are being produced at lower power levels. Commercial microturbines are available as 30-kW units. Approximately 250 acres of land would be required to produce biomass in the form of switchgrass or willow for a 200-kW power plant. It is expected that higher-value crop production will most likely be the primary focus for U.S. farmers and that power production will remain a secondary interest. The primary factors holding back the interest in power production are low electric rates, high system capital costs, and operating costs. Gasification to fuel cells or microturbines could compete if capital costs approached < $1000/kW and systems could be completely automated. The results of a study comparing the costs of gasifiers coupled to various fuel cells and a Flex- Microturbine TM are presented. The capital cost of the systems studied ranged from $1300 to $4450/kW, with the Flex-Microturbine TM and molten carbonate fuel cell