Stockholm and Piteå, 14 September 2023 - Phoenix BioPower is a pioneering company for sustainable energy solutions. Our engineers successfully performed the first test campaign for the innovative Hybrid Fluidized Bed (HFB) gasification technology. This groundbreaking achievement represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges of high-pressure gasification processes.
The Phoenix BioPower engineers conducted the tests at our cold-flow, hydrodynamic development rig in Piteå, North Sweden. This unique rig is a cooperative effort with the Research Institutes of Sweden, RISE. With the test results, we are beginning to validate the HFB concept at an industrial scale and pressure level. In addition, we gained invaluable data for the development of our full-scale gasifier.
Key Achievements and preliminary results from the Successful Test Campaign
The novel fluidisation concept with dual bed particle size functions as predicted
Key design elements and reactor geometries perform as intended
The complete system for bed circulation has correct function.
This marks a true milestone in our gasification development. Michael Bartlett, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Phoenix BioPower, expresses his excitement about the successful tests:
"This is yet another significant achievement for us this autumn. Our HFB technology is pivotal in the development of our high-efficiency biopower plant, and I am delighted to see that our gasifier and combustor, now proven to work as expected in our models, are on track. It's truly inspiring to witness the dedication and expertise of our exceptional team—from concept and design to erection, commissioning, and test execution."
Michael Bartlett, CTO of Phoenix BioPower
Further testing, in collaboration with RISE, is scheduled to continue for another month this year before it gets too cold. Testing will then resume in the spring of 2024. These test campaigns are part of the Horizon Europe funded project Bio-FlexGen and the Swedish Energy Agency funded Biokraft2023 initiative.
For more information on Phoenix BioPower, contact:
Henrik Båge, CEO, henrik.bage@phoenixbiopower.com.
The HFB technology in a nutshell
The HFB technology is a groundbreaking concept in thermochemical gasification. It is specifically designed to address the challenges associated with high-pressure gasification processes. Traditionally, fluidised bed gasification is performed in two primary ways: Bubbling Fluidised Bed (BFB) and Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB). The HFB technology combines the advantages of both BFB and CFB by introducing dual-size bed particles. The smaller particles behave like those in a CFB, while the larger particles behave as in a BFB. This innovative combination results in a gasifier with a reasonable reactor diameter and height - ideal for applications with 20 – 200 MW fuel input.
A segment of the Humphrey rig in Piteå.
