July 2016

F R A U N H O F E R I N S T I T U T E F O R E N V I R O N M E N TA L , S A F E T Y, A N D E N E R G Y T E C H N O L O G Y U M S I C H T

I N S T I T U T E B R A N C H S U L Z B A C H - R O S E N B E R G

THE BIOBATTERYTHERMO CATALYTIC REFORMING TCR®

Fraunhofer UMSICHT takes an active part

in the redesign of the modifying handling

with energy and resources. One important

step in a resource efficient direction of

management thereof, is the efficient use

of biogenic residues. The exploitation of

remaining biomass regarding its compound

and inherent energy reduces the emission

of climate-hazardous gases, diversifies the

provision of raw material and contributes

to its long-term stabilization.

Existing concepts for the use of biomass

currently presuppose either lignocellulose-

poor biomass (biogas, bioethanol, bio-

diesel, white biotechnology etc.) or are

focused on dry biomass containing ligno-

cellulose (combustion, BtL-processes etc.).

The concepts of use of applied conversion

processes lead to costs, which are generally

primarily determined by the transportation

of biomass.

Hence, numerous research projects

at Fraunhofer UMSICHT aim at the

development of efficient product systems

for biomass-based intermediate products

with carrying value and storage stability. In

the facilities in Oberhausen and Sulzbach-

Rosenberg, scientists work out new proces-

ses for the chemo-thermal conversion of

biomass.

Including:

�� Thermo catalytic reforming

�� Combustion and characterization of

combustion material

�� Pyrolysis

�� Concepts for biogas and biomethane

production

Fraunhofer Institute for

Environmental, Safety, and Energy

Technology UMSICHT

Institute Branch

Sulzbach-Rosenberg

An der Maxhütte 1

92237 Sulzbach-Rosenberg

Contact Person

Dr.-Ing. Robert Daschner

Phone +49 9661 908-410

robert.daschner@umsicht.fraunhofer.de

Director

Prof. Dr. Andreas Hornung

Phone +49 9661 908-403

andreas.hornung@umsicht.fraunhofer.de

www.umsicht-suro.fraunhofer.de

www.umsicht.fraunhofer.de

1 TCR®-Reactor

1

The Biobattery - Thermo Catalytic

Reforming

The concept of the Biobattery incorporates

multiple conversion technologies targeting

the economical and environmentally

friendly storage of surplus energy. The

Biobattery was developed with the target

to use surplus electricity from the grid to

convert and thereby make available the

energy locked within the vast amounts of

existent and unused organic residues.

The Biobattery includes multiple tech-

nologies, such as biogas plant elements,

thermal storage systems, pyrolysis systems

and motors for power generation purposes.

A core element of the Biobattery is the

Thermo Catalytic Reforming process, which

uses residual biomass and converts these to

oil, gas and char.

The two integrated catalytic steps of the

thermo catalytic reforming process genera-

te products of unique quality, offering the

following key advantages:

�� High feedstock and product flexibility

�� 75 percent of the energy content used is

converted into fuels

�� Up to 30 percent water content in the

feedstock

�� Preparation of pure oil

�� Provision of high quality bio-char

�� Product gas directly suitable for use on

dual-fuel CHP

�� Reliable, fully continuous process

The Biobattery is a concept developed

by the Center for Energy Storage, which

is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry

for Economic Affairs, Media, Energy, and

Technology (StMWI).

2

2 Biomass processed close to the place of origin.

3 Thermo Catalytic Reforming TCR® converts

biogenous residues to oil, gas and biochar.

1 22 2 3

4 TCR®-Scheme: Thermo Catalytic Reforming

converts biogenous residues to oil, gas

and biochar.

Feedstock

Carbonisation

Biochar

Oil andWater

Synthesis gas

Catalytic Reforming4

This approach offers unique aspects which

offer competitive advantages over other

conversion technologies which commonly

face the following challenges:

�� Partially high gate-fees for the disposal

of biomass residues

�� Market volatility requires flexible

feedstocks

�� Regular changes in market prices for

products

�� Changing funding conditions

�� High capital commitment

Under these conditions, the following

requirements exist for an innovative and

reliable system:

�� Suitability for a wide range of solid

biomass

�� A high energy efficiency

�� High quality of fuels produced

�� Robust and capital-efficient solution for

decentralized applications

�� High flexibility of the technology