IT201800000755A1 - Wood biomass pyrogasification plant - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION of the Industrial Invention entitled: "Wood biomass pyrogasification plant"

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a pyrogasification plant comprising the following components:

- at least one wood chip storage and feeding system,

- at least one pyrogasifier,

- at least one system for recovering the gas leaving the said pyrogasifier,

at least one electricity cogeneration unit.

The pyrogasification of woody biomass is a process that has been known for several centuries and has been exploited for many decades.

However, in plants known in the state of the art, the wood gasification process, which takes place through a pyrolysis process, causes a particularly large production of soot and tar.

Furthermore, the woody biomasses currently on the market are characterized by a wide variability based on the different compositions, humidity and impurities.

This variability results in a strong variability of the pyrolysis process and, consequently, in a further disadvantage in terms of efficiency that can only be solved with sophisticated biomass selection and drying systems, which have the disadvantage of being particularly expensive and inefficient.

The pyrogasification reaction therefore occurs in an incomplete way, producing a syngas that not only has a variable caloric value and a variable volumetric flow rate, but, above all, is also polluted by unburnt elements so-called CHAR and TAR which, transforming into tar with the vapor of condensation, quickly wear out the system, forcing frequent replacements and maintenance of components, otherwise leading to the shutdown of the system.

As anticipated, in the plants known to the state of the art, attempts are made to reduce the variability of the pyrogasification reaction, selecting the wood chips so that it can guarantee a higher efficiency of the pyrogasification reaction.

The result is that the versatility of the plants that cannot use any wood chip material is reduced, not being able to resort to local renewable sources at low / zero cost, such as carpentry waste, forest waste, etc.

There is therefore the need not satisfied by the systems known to the state of the art to create a system that allows to obtain a pyrogasification process that combines versatility, being able to use the various qualities and types of woody biomass, efficiency, constantly extracting the maximum from woody biomass in terms of syngas (therefore electricity) and respect for the environment, minimizing waste and emissions.

The present invention achieves the above purposes by realizing a plant as described above, in which there is a control system, in communication with one or more of said components, in such a way that the control system manages the operation of a or more components.

There is also a network of sensors positioned within one or more components and in communication with the control system.

The presence of the control system allows the operation of the entire system to be fully automatic, assisted for example by a computer based on a PLC, and allows the system manager to receive only control functions. All flows are regulated in a totally automatic way in order to always use the optimal parameters and generate the desired electrical power.

The plant object of the present invention therefore has the purpose of producing electricity and heat from the pyrogasification of woody biomass, in order to constitute the best solution for the treatment and enhancement of renewable sources, such as woody biomass.

In particular, the technology used starts from virgin wood chips, to produce fuel gas, the so-called syngas, through the thermochemical transformation of the wood. The gas, after a cleaning phase, at the end of the process, feeds a cogeneration unit, with an internal combustion engine, producing electricity.

As will be fully described, the residual heat, deriving from the gasifier and the internal combustion engine, is decoupled from the process and used separately in civil and industrial users.

Finally, the purpose of the present invention is to create a plant that is versatile, thanks to the possibility of pyrogasifying any woody biomass in any state, and efficient thanks to the possibility of extracting the maximum yield from the biomass, both as thermal power and as syngas, with particular attention the abatement of pollutants and emissions, exploiting and enhancing the waste from the process.

It will be clear that the invention presents as a general concept the monitoring of the entire supply chain, from the storage of biomass to the production of electricity, carried out through the control system.

From a general point of view, the invention is therefore not limited to particular types of components, on the contrary it is particularly adaptable to any plant system, as well as scalable according to the power required, by small plants (typically with pyrogasification units around 10-20 kWe) to large plants (typically with pyrogasification units around 400-500 kWe).

The invention also relates to a biomass pyrogasifier comprising an external body that delimits an internal chamber.

The internal chamber provides at least one drying chamber, in which the biomass is inserted, and at least one reaction chamber.

The reaction chamber provides means for igniting a flame for the combustion of the biomass.

Furthermore, the drying chamber and / or the reaction chamber are at least partially surrounded by a thermal flywheel.

As will be evident from the illustrated executive examples, the pyrogasifier and the control system object of the present invention are self-sufficient in terms of syngas production and can be connected upstream to any biomass storage / feeding system, and to downstream, to any electricity cogeneration system.

Optional features of the plant object of the present invention are contained in the attached dependent claims, which form an integral part of this description.

Furthermore, these and other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of some executive examples illustrated in the attached drawings in which:

fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary diagram of the plant object of the present invention according to a possible embodiment;

Figures 2a and 2b illustrate two sections of an exemplary scheme of the pyrogasifier belonging to the plant object of the present invention, according to a possible embodiment.

It is specified that the figures attached to this patent application illustrate some executive forms of the plant object of the present invention, to better understand the advantages and characteristics described.

These embodiments are therefore to be understood purely for illustrative purposes and not limitative to the inventive concept of the present invention, i.e. that of realizing a wood biomass pyrogasification plant, completely automated and particularly safe and efficient, in order to optimize the yield and reduce the waste.

In particular, Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary diagram of an embodiment of the plant object of the present invention.

The system is divided into four functional blocks, in particular:

a storage and feeding system for wood chips 1, in particular wood biomass,

a gasifier and a system for recovering the gas leaving said gasifier 2,

an electric power cogeneration unit 3,

a control system 4.

As anticipated, the control system 4 supervises the operation of all system components, thanks to a network of sensors installed in the various components, which will be described in detail below, according to a possible embodiment.

Before proceeding with the description of each individual component, it is specified that the particular configuration of the system and construction of the components, allows the use of any type of woody biomass.

In particular, ligno-cellulosic biomasses with a humidity value of up to 50% can be used.

In fact, as the quality and humidity of the biomass vary, the plant object of the present invention keeps the flow of gas produced constant, accelerating or reducing the consumption of biomass itself.

The feeding and storage system 1 preferably comprises a container 11, inside which the chipped material is positioned.

The container 11 comprises a movable floor for moving the chipped material, which pushes the material towards means for transferring the material to the gasifier.

The transfer means are preferably constituted by a conveyor belt 12.

The control system 4 acts on the activation / deactivation of the movable floor of the container 11 and of the conveyor belt 12, thanks to the data detected by a network of sensors, which constitute a monitoring system of the container 11 and of the belt 12.

In particular, the material is deposited in a suitable metal storage container 11.

Advantageously, the Storage container 11 has a net capacity of approximately 27 cubic meters and is sized to contain approximately 8 tons of wood chips.

A "cover-uncover" cover keeps the wood chips dry and allows it to be loaded with conventional systems. The container 11 is equipped with a movable floor which advances to deliver the wood chips to the belt 12.

The container 11 is also equipped with a minimum-maximum level monitoring system which communicates the loading status of the container 11 to the control system.

The container 11 is also equipped with a system for monitoring the presence of the chips at the interface with the belt 12. This system communicates the presence or absence of chips to the control system 4, which consequently intervenes to stop or activate the movement of the mobile floor: in this way the presence of wood chips on the belt 12 is always guaranteed.

The temperature and pressure conditions in the container 11 are the environmental ones.

The wood chips, from the storage container 11, via the mobile floor, is supplied to a metal boxed conveyor belt 12, which takes the chips to the internal distribution and drying system of the pyrogasifier.

The conveyor belt 12 has no accessible openings in order to keep the wood chips dry along the entire path.

Furthermore, the belt 12 allows the chipped material to overcome the difference in level between the storage and the gasifier 2.

According to one embodiment, the height difference is 5.8 meters, the belt 12 has a speed of 4 meters / minute with a capacity of 0.115 cubic meters / minute.

The conveyor belt 12 is equipped with a minimum / maximum level monitoring system which communicates the load status to the control system 4 at the interface with the gasifier 2: this system communicates the status of the wood chips to the control system 4, which consequently intervenes to stop or activate the movement of the conveyor belt 12.

In this way the presence of wood chips entering the gasifier 2 is always guaranteed.

The conveyor belt 12 is also equipped with a monitoring system of the passage of wood chips on the conveyor belt 12 itself. This system communicates the presence or absence of wood chips to the control system 4, which consequently intervenes to stop or activate the movement of the mobile floor of the container 11.

In this way the presence of wood chips entering the conveyor belt 12 is always guaranteed.

The temperature and pressure conditions in the fuel system are environmental ones.

Upon exiting the belt 12, the chipped material enters the pyrogasifier 2, which appears to be the main core of the system and of which a possible embodiment is illustrated in figures 2a and 2b.

The pyrogasifier comprises a drying chamber 21 and a reaction chamber 22.

The drying chamber 21 is in communication with the reaction chamber 22 through mechanical means 212 for distributing the chipped material.

The activation / deactivation of these mechanical means allows the passage from the drying chamber 21 to the reaction chamber 22 of the wood chips.

Furthermore, the pyrogasifier comprises a combustion air insertion pumping unit (indicated in figure 1 with reference 23), which combustion air pump unit through an inlet inside the reaction chamber 22 and a suction pumping unit suitable for aspirating the gas produced through an outlet from the reaction chamber 22, a delivery valve being provided for measuring and regulating the flow of injected air and an intake valve being provided for measuring and regulating the flow rate of sucked gas, as said valves are connected to the control system 4.

Again with reference to figures 2a and 2b, the pyrogasifier has a thermal flywheel, consisting of a ceramic mass overheated by the furnace, which allows the wood chips to completely pyrogasify before reaching the furnace.

With particular reference to Figure 2, both the drying chamber 21 and the reaction chamber 22 are surrounded at least in part by said thermal flywheel, 210 and 220 respectively.

Preferably the pyorgasifier furnace produces temperatures above 1000 ° C, incinerating the wood chips waste, generating the thermal power that keeps it running.

Thanks to this temperature, the furnace overheats a series of ceramic catalysts 24 in which the syngas is forced to circulate purifying the waste elements, such as CHAR and TAR which, when recombined, produce more syngas, improving efficiency and reducing pollutants.

According to the variant illustrated in the figures, the catalysts 24, consisting of ceramic elements, are also surrounded at least in part by a thermal flywheel 240.

Inside the pyrogasifier, the treatment and enhancement of the woody biomass takes place through the pyrogasification process.

The pyrogasifier is assembled on a steel supporting structure 20 capable of supporting all its constituent elements, allowing access for inspection / maintenance activities and protecting it from atmospheric agents. This structure 20 is also totally open, without walls or canopies, leaving the system components exposed. The components of the pyrogasifier are insulated to minimize dispersions and to protect the operators.

The wood chips, supplied by the conveyor belt 12, flows into the hopper 201 of the pyrogasifier which, by means of a motorized auger 202, allows the dosing of the biomass to the drying chamber 21 located inside the gasification reactor.

Immediately before the chips leave the conveyor belt 12 and enter the hopper 201, the moisture status of the chips is monitored and transmitted to the control system 4, which will increase or reduce the permanence of the chips inside the drying chamber 21 so that it arrives. always in optimal conditions in the reaction chamber 22.

The drying chamber 21 distributes a constant quantity of biomass, regulated by level sensors responsible for controlling the filling of the drying chamber 21 and loading inside the reaction chamber 22. This cycle is governed by the achievement of the maximum filling level of the reaction chamber 22.

A mechanical system, placed to control this level, activates and deactivates a position sensor depending on whether or not the biomass is present at that given level: this sensor generates the stop signal to the entire supply chain (conveyor belt 12 and movable floor of the container 11) and reactivating it causes it to restart.

The feeding conditions can therefore be defined instantaneously discontinuous, since, once loaded, the pyrogasifier takes a certain time to consume a quantity of biomass necessary to reactivate the mechanical level control system and therefore to reactivate the load cycle. However, considering this operation over several hours, a constant average flow rate of biomass sent to the reaction chamber 22 is obtained. What therefore determines the average flow rate of biomass sent to the reaction chamber 22 is the consumption of the biomass in the pyrogasifier itself. .

Preferably the passage from the hopper 201 to the drying chamber 21 takes place through a passage which remains closed when there is no passage of wood chips from the hopper 201 to the drying chamber 21. In the drying chamber 21 the temperature is about 150-200 ° C, the pressure is environmental. Although it is isolated, in the hopper 201, bordering the drying chamber 21, the temperature reaches 40/50 ° C, the pressure is the environmental one.

Inside the pyrogasifier, the gas is produced, without pressure, in a downdraft, through the stages of drying, pyrolysis, oxidation and reduction.

Gasification is a thermal process of biomass treatment. Unlike incineration or normal biomass combustion, less oxygen is fed in gasification.

If the reaction took place completely in the absence of oxygen, the pyrolysis process would occur, in fact, in gasification, a portion of oxygen is used to obtain the amount of heat useful to keep the process at temperature.

From the drying chamber 21 the chips, now dry, descend downwards towards the reaction chamber 22 where the previous chips have left a vacuum and are consumed in ash. The process temperature in the reaction chamber 22 is normally above 750 ° C (preferably 900 ° C - 1200 ° C) and the gas is obtained through a series of chemical reactions before being completely combusted.

The synthesis gas (syngas) is produced at high temperatures and subsequently cooled in the cleaning sections, but in any case it is present throughout the plant with temperatures that are always higher than the ambient one, thus determining a further push upwards, in the case of any leaks. Two gases (CH4 and H2) are lighter than air, while CO (and N2) are approximately the same specific weight as air.

Based on experimental tests carried out on the plant object of the present invention, at the end of the process, the only remaining residue is given by the ash in the ratio of about 3% of the biomass introduced. The ash consists almost entirely of inert mineral substance with few traces of coal.

During the process the water content of the wood introduced, passing over the charcoal, is reduced to hydrogen (H2) while the oxygen from the water immediately aggregates with the carbon of the charcoal producing carbon monoxide (CO), merging both in syngas. The process does not produce waste water.

According to a preferred embodiment, the gasifier consists of a container 200 about 2.5 meters high, equipped with an internal 4-layer lining made of refractory and insulating material.

The process combustion air is forcedly supplied, through a motorized pumping unit, to 3 different reaction zones (pyrolysis, oxidation and reduction) inside the reaction chamber 22, according to the geometry of the reaction chamber itself and regulated with air diffusers that allow preheating by circulating inside the reaction chamber. The combustion air circulates at ambient temperatures and pressures but in the last section, already inside the pyrogasifier, it reaches a temperature of about 250-300 ° C.

The wood chip load insists on a grid 27 which allows the ashes to fall and, through a duct located at the bottom of the pyrogasifier, allows the accumulated ash to be safely extracted. The elimination of the ash takes place through a motorized rotating closing opening located on the bottom of the pyrogasifier, which opens at time intervals regulated by the control system 4 according to the quantity of biomass introduced. The temperature of the ashes, at the time of exit, is about 50-60 ° C, the pressure is that of the environment.

On the top of the pyrogasifier, a safety device is mounted through which, in the start-up and shutdown phases, or in the event of malfunctions or black-outs, the reaction chamber 22 is put in communication with the external environment through a chimney 203 which allows any residual fumes or gases to be released into the atmosphere.

There is also a chimney opening / closing device, which is closed only in the presence of an electric signal, and which automatically opens the chimney 203 in the event of a black-out. This condition is intrinsically safe since, in the absence of the power supply, the combustion air delivery and the gas intake are closed (the pumping units are deactivated) and, thanks to the non-return valves, any emissions from the wood chips being extinguished, are evacuated through chimney 203.

As anticipated, the syngas is extracted through a motorized suction pumping unit that sends the syngas to the cleaning circuit.

The syngas produced inside the reaction chamber 22 passes inside the catalyst system 24 where it is "cleaned" and from which a waste condensate is extracted and discharged through the outlet 242.

The clean syngas is extracted through outlet 28.

Directly behind the syngas outlet 28 there is an interception valve.

As anticipated, the syngas, leaving the reaction chamber 22, raw and saturated with dust (micro carbon powders), is cooled and purified through a labyrinth system 261, integrated in the pyrogasifier, capable of reducing the temperature of the gas to be about 900 ° C to about 50 ° C.

In this way, through the thermal difference, the gas condensate extracts 99% of the dust (micro carbon dust) contained in it. The condensate thus produced is extracted through a motorized pumping unit which is activated at predetermined intervals through the control system 4 and is discharged through outlet 242. The same circuit, which generates the thermal jump, allows the recovery of thermal energy , possessed by the gas, through a pumping system and a heat exchanger.

In particular, this circuit consists of a system of turbulators 26 arranged around the two chambers 21 and 22, which are activated at regular intervals causing the accumulated micro dust to fall / detach, and by a heat exchanger system 25.

This thermal energy is available for the thermal cycle of the heating or air conditioning network.

According to a possible embodiment, illustrated in Figure 2b, flame generation means 271 are provided in correspondence with the grid 27, preferably consisting of an electric resistance which extends and retracts automatically to ignite biomass and start the pyrogasifier.

This electrical resistance is also preferably managed by the control system 4.

The ashes resulting from the biomass combustion process can be expelled through a waste circuit 272, positioned below the grate 27.

As described, the combustion air is introduced into the pyrogasifier through the input pumping unit 23, comprising a motorized pumping unit and stainless steel pipes. Along the main duct, which runs from the pumping unit to the pyrogasifier, there is a "clapet" non-return valve, which allows the passage of air only towards the pyrogasifier and prevents, in case of shutdown / block / black- out of the system, gas leaks or fumes backwards.

A motorized valve, downstream, partializes the air flow, through the control system, in order to control the combustion of the wood chips in the reaction chamber. A multi-function meter communicates in real time the instantaneous values of temperature, pressure, mass flow rate and volume flow of the combustion air to the control system 4. According to a preferred embodiment variant, the combustion air pump is coupled to the fuel pump. syngas extraction through a direct drive mechanical shaft.

This peculiar configuration allows to vary, in a coupled way, the delivery and extraction of the syngas with a rapidity and stability not granted to the "electrical axes" controlled by PLC. The combustion air circulates at room temperature and pressures, but in the last section, already inside the pyrogasifier, it reaches a temperature of about 250-300 ° C.

As previously described, the gas produced (syngas) from the pyrogasifier is extracted, through a motorized suction pumping unit, already cooled to about 50 ° C and already purified of about 99% of the dust (carbon micro dust) and is sent, through stainless steel pipes, to the purification circuit.

The sucked gas, before circulating through a suction unit, is conveyed through a passive filter, consisting of a porous stainless steel septum; here the humidity contained in the gas condenses further and helps to eliminate part of the residual impurities.

In this section, upstream of the suction unit, the gas temperature is about 50 ° C, the pressure is about 923 hPa. The condensate thus produced is extracted through a second motorized pumping unit which is activated at predetermined intervals by means of the control system 4.

Passing beyond the suction unit, the gas is conveyed to the active filtering system which carries out the final purification of the gas. The active filtering system consists of a chilled water blast chiller and a centrifugal condensate and impurity separation system. In this section, at the outlet of the active filter, the gas temperature is about 30 ° C, the pressure is about 1123 hPa. The condensate produced is extracted through two automatic condensate drain units.

In the two sections of the duct immediately downstream and upstream of the motorized suction pumping unit there is a circuit with a vacuum breaker valve and a bypass circuit for the suction unit.

The vacuum breaker valve prevents any depressions higher than those of the project from being created in the section upstream of the suction pumping unit, while the bypass circuit, equipped with a "clapet" non-return valve, allows, in case of malfunctioning of the suction pumping unit, to the gas being sucked directly, through the ramp, by the cogeneration unit, which will be described later.

In addition, the gas duct is equipped with a motorized valve, managed by the control system 4, which allows to exclude the active filtering system during the ignition phases of the system, sending it directly to the torch.

The purified gas, leaving the purification system, is conveyed to the cogenerator 3 through stainless steel ducts: from the main duct, to the cogenerator, the duct section of the torch circuit branches off.

The torch circuit consists of an overflow valve, a pressure switch, a temperature probe K and a step-up transformer. The relief valve conveys the gas to the torch when the pressure exceeds about 1123 hPa: this can happen in all cases in which the cogenerator is inactive, but it is not necessary to switch off the pyrogasifier: when the system starts up, malfunction and block of the cogenerator, blackout, cogenerator maintenance.

When the gas is conveyed to the torch, the pressure switch, managed by the control system, ignites the gas in the torch by means of the step-up transformer (electric spark). The temperature probe K, managed by the control system, ensures that the gas is actually ignited: if it is not, after a few ignition attempts, the control system definitively switches off the pyrogasifier. On the other hand, when the torch is on (probe K), the control system, after a predetermined period, such as 30 minutes, reduces the flow of biomass and combustion air by keeping the pyrogasifier running "to a minimum".

The ramp conduit is also equipped with a multi-function meter that communicates instantaneous values of temperature, pressure, mass flow rate and volume flow of the gas to the control system in real time. The gas, available for the cogenerator 3, is at a temperature of about 30 ° C, with a pressure of about 1123 hPa.

It is also specified that the pyrogasifier is equipped with a gas cleaning system, capable of reducing the gas temperature from about 900 ° C to about 50 ° C.

To generate this temperature difference, the pyrogasifier is equipped with a system that exchanges heat through a free cooler. The system is equipped with two recirculation pumps, an 80-liter expansion tank, a cooling water loading circuit and the required control devices (ISPEL): manual reset pressure switch, status flow and temperature control at manual reset. The temperature of the cooling water leaving the pyrogasifier is about 90 ° C, at the inlet it is about 50 ° C.

This thermal energy is available for the thermal cycle of the heating or air conditioning network (heat pump). A motorized diverter valve, managed by a control system, allows you to direct the thermal energy to the users (civil and / or industrial). A calorie counter communicates the circulating power in the cogeneration plant of the pyrogasifier. The thermal energy that can be recovered from the pyrogasifier is about 200 kWt.

It is now described how the control system 4 interacts with the various components of the system.

As shown in Figure 1, the control system 4 can be housed inside a standard 40-foot (12 m) steel container shelter.

The control system 4 manages the entire biomass enhancement process, from the arrival of the wood chips to the introduction into the grid of the electrical and thermal energy produced.

In particular, the control system 4 manages:

- the container 11 of wood chips: if it is not filled, it signals with an alarm and then turns off the system. From when the alarm signal is emitted, the autonomy of the pyrogasifier is about 1 hour, then the control system turns off the system.

- the feeding of the wood chips through the belt 12: when the level of the wood chips falls below the values

pre-established, along the entire supply line (conveyor belt and hopper), the control system 4 enables the advancement of the chips inside the container 11 and the conveyor belt 12; if the level is not restored, it signals with an alarm and then turns off the system. From when the alarm signal is emitted, the autonomy of the pyrogasifier is about 1 hour, then the control system turns off the system.

- Drying chamber: when the level of the wood chips falls below the predetermined values, the control system enables the advancement of the wood chips inside the container 11 and conveyor belt 12 and the hopper; if the level is not restored, it signals with an alarm and then turns off the system. From when the alarm signal is emitted, the autonomy of the pyrogasifier is about 20 minutes, then the control system turns off the system.

Furthermore, thanks to the humidity and temperature probe present in the drying chamber, the control system manages the quantity and frequency of filling the wood chips to minimize drying time.

- Dissociator and pyrolysis; the control system optimally manages the pyrolysis process, detecting the temperature parameters inside the reactor, detecting the flow rate, temperature and pressure parameters of the outgoing syngas and piloting the combustion air flow. If the required operating temperatures, pressures and flow rates are not reached, the control system signals with an alarm and then shuts down the system. Since the alarm signal is issued

the autonomy of the pyrogasifier varies from a few minutes to 30 minutes depending on the anomaly detected.

- Gas cleaning; the control system optimally manages the purification process, detecting the temperature and pressure parameters of the outgoing gas and piloting the active filtering system. If the required operating temperatures, pressures and flow rates are not reached, the control system signals with an alarm and then shuts down the system. From when the alarm signal is emitted, the autonomy of the pyrogasifier varies from a few minutes to 30 minutes depending on the anomaly detected.

- Gas ramp; the control system manages the ramp by detecting the temperature and pressure parameters of the gas at the outlet and in the torch; in the event of the presence of gas in the flare, a pressure switch activates a step-up transformer (electric spark) which ignites the gas. The temperature probe K, managed by the control system, ensures that the gas is actually turned on; if it is not, after a few ignition attempts, the control system permanently shuts down the system. Since the alarm signal is emitted, the pyrogasifier remains in operation for about 20 minutes, then the control system turns off the system. On the other hand, when the torch is on (probe K), the control system, after 30 minutes, reduces the biomass flow rate and the combustion air by keeping the pyrogasifier running "at a minimum".

- Ash and sewage evacuation; at predetermined intervals, set automatically by the control system and consequent to the consumption of the chips (quality of the chips and humidity), the motorized units are activated.

- Cogeneration: the control system manages the thermal power fed into the network through the diverter valves, temperature probes and the calorie counter; in case of non-withdrawal of thermal power (due to failure, interruption or non-presence of the user) the control system activates the autonomous cooling system (free cooler of the pyrogasifier and radiator of the generator); in the event of a cooling system failure, the control system signals with an alarm and then shuts down the system. Since the alarm signal is emitted, the autonomy of the pyrogasifier is only a few minutes.

- Electricity and cogenerator; the control system completely interfaces with the electrical panel of the cogenerator; the parameters of the generating set and the powers supplied are centralized and managed by a control system that automatically optimizes the process; the alarm signals of the cogenerator become alarm signals of the control system. From when the alarm signal is emitted the gas is diverted to the torch and the generator is switched off.

- Emergency: the control system does not manage the emergency buttons on the pyro-gasifier and on the electrical panel of the control system itself. The activation of the emergency button switches off the system immediately: it shuts off the gas supply to the generator and switches it off, switches off the combustion air and syngas extraction pumps, opens the chimney, the cooling pumps remain on and switch off only when preset temperature value (ISPEL thermostat).

According to a possible embodiment, the control system is equipped with an uninterruptible power supply consisting of a pack of sealed lead batteries and inverters, for a total power of 10 KVA at 380V three-phase.

The electrical system, thanks to the uninterruptible power supply, has an autonomy of 3 hours of continuous operation to allow the total safe shutdown of the system, in the event of a failure or lack of mains electricity. Finally, the UPS is equipped with an anti-return and emergency release circuit.

The electrical system of the control system includes 24V, 230V and 400V utilities.

The instantaneous electrical power absorbed is 15 kWe during the operation of the system; the control system manages and synchronizes the various users and actuators so as not to exceed this power (alternating intermittent operation).

Once the gas is purified thanks to the systems described above, it is led from the ramp to the cogenerator.

It is specified that it is possible to provide any model of cogenerator known in the state of the art, without limiting or modifying the characteristics of the remaining components of the system that have been previously described.

According to a possible embodiment, the cogeneration part provides a gas regulation system at stabilized pressure which supplies the gas obtained to a gas engine, of the ESC13MF (NG) type, where it is burned.

The cogenerator can consist of cogenerators known in the state of the art, but preferably, the characteristics of the cogenerator are:

- Power for PRP continuous service: 249 KVA equal to 199.2 KW

- Power factor: cos φ 0.8

- Voltage: 400V three-phase with accessible neutral (230V phase / neutral)

- Frequency: 50 Hz.

- Speed: 1500 rpm.

- Syngas engine (for example ESC13MF (NG) type), supercharged intake, 6 cylinders in line, water cooled, 24 Vdc electric start.

- Alternator (for example of the MARELLI type MJB 315 SB4 type), self-excited and self-regulated, with a nominal power of 249 kVA, in insulation class / overtemperature H / B without brushes (brushless), with electronic voltage regulator, mechanical protection IP23, single bearing construction form, complete with parallel device.

- PSC-1 type electrical command and control panel, with user-programmable microprocessor management logic, through a user-friendly interface, interfaced with the control system.

- Automatic circuit breaker (for example of the ABB SACE type), 4x400 A, with generator protection, in fixed version with manual control.

- 64S stator mass protection relay.

- PT100 thermometric probes mounted on windings (1 x phase) and on the alternator bearing for monitoring the instrument temperatures on the control panel for displaying temperatures.

- Soundproofed fairing made of galvanized steel sheet for outdoor use, our type D Silent version (noise level 70 ± 3 dB (A) at a distance of 7 meters in free field and in the absence of background noise).

- Radiator with blower fan mechanically operated by the diesel engine complete with connection pipes, thermostatic valve and circulation pump, all mounted on the base of the unit;

- Water preheating system;

- 24V lead starter batteries;

- Residential exhaust gas silencer;

- Exhaust gas expansion joint, in stainless steel, for connecting the engine exhaust gas outlet;

The generator is set up for automatic operation, via the control system and is complete with:

- Low oil pressure alarm / stop sensor;

- High water temperature alarm / stop sensor;

- Low radiator water level alarm / stop sensor;

- Sensor for oil level control and refilling system from 50 liter tank mounted on board;

Finally, it is specified that the generator is equipped with a heat exchanger to recover the heat of the radiator (cylinder cooling) and the heat of the exhaust gases. This thermal energy is available for the thermal cycle of the heating or air conditioning network (heat pump).

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, some preferred embodiments have been shown in the drawings and described in detail.

It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention of limiting the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents that fall within the scope of the invention such as defined in the claims.

The use of "for example", "etc.", "or" indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise indicated.

The use of "include" means "includes, but not limited to" unless otherwise indicated.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS 1. Pyro-gasification plant comprising the following components: at least one wood chip storage and feeding system (1), at least one pyrogasifier (2), at least one gas recovery system leaving said pyrogasifier, at least one electricity cogeneration unit (3), Characterized by the fact that there is a control system (4), which control system (4) is in communication with one or more of said components, so that said control system (4) manages the operation of said one or more components, there being a network of sensors positioned inside the one or more components and in communication with the said control system (4). 2. Plant according to claim 1, wherein said at least one pyrogasifier (2) comprises at least one drying chamber (21) and at least one reaction chamber (22), the drying chamber (21) being in communication with said reaction chamber (22) by means of mechanical means for distributing the chipped material, the activation / deactivation of these mechanical means allowing the passage from the drying chamber (21) to the reaction chamber (22), being provided at the entrance to said chamber drying (21) a system for detecting the humidity of the incoming chipped material, in communication with the said control system (4), for the activation / deactivation of said mechanical distribution means. 3. Plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said pyrogasifier comprises a combustion air insertion pumping unit, which combustion air pump unit through an inlet inside said reaction chamber (22) and a pumping unit for suction suitable for the suction of the gas produced through an outlet from the reaction chamber (22), a delivery valve being provided for measuring and regulating the flow of injected air and a suction valve designed to measure and regulate the flow sucked gas, the said valves being connected to the said control system (4). 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein said insertion pumping unit and said suction pumping unit are connected through a direct drive mechanical shaft. 5. Plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said pyrogasifier comprises a cleaning circuit positioned downstream of said outlet from the reaction chamber (22), which circuit comprises means for reducing the temperature of the gas and first means for pumping aimed at extracting the condensate resulting from the lowering of the temperature. 6. Plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which said cleaning circuit comprises second pumping means and at least one heat exchanger for the recovery of the thermal energy resulting from the lowering of the temperature. 7. Plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said chip material feeding and storage system comprises at least one container (11), inside which container the chipped material is positioned, which container (11) comprises a mobile floor for moving the chipped material, there being a monitoring system for the storage of the chipped material in communication with the said control system (4), for the activation / deactivation of the said mobile floor. 8. Plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the said storage and feeding system comprises means for transferring the said chipped material to the said pyrogasifier, the said transfer means comprising a monitoring system for feeding the said wood chipped material, in communication with the said control system, for the activation / deactivation of the said transfer means. 9. Plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the said transfer means comprise a system for detecting the passage of wood chips, in communication with the said control system, for the activation / deactivation of the said mobile floor. 10. Plant according to one or more of the preceding claims, in which the said drying chamber (21) and / or the said reaction chamber (22) have a system for monitoring the level of wood chips, in communication with the said system of control (4), for the activation / deactivation of the said mobile floor and / or of the said transfer means (12). 11. Pyro-gasifier for biomass comprising an external body that delimits an internal chamber, providing the internal chamber at least one drying chamber in which the biomass is inserted and at least one reaction chamber, providing the said reaction chamber means for igniting a flame for the combustion of the said biomass, characterized by the fact that the said drying chamber and / or the said reaction chamber are surrounded at least in part by a thermal flywheel. 12. Pyro-gasifier according to claim 11, in which downstream of said reaction chamber there is a system of catalysts consisting of ceramic elements, inside which system the gas produced by combustion is made to pass, since said ceramic elements are heated by the said reaction chamber. 13. Pyro-gasifier according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein one or more of the characteristics according to claims 2 to 6 are provided.