The Blue Tower - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
Which types of regenerative feedstock can be utilized for the Blue Tower?
Unlike commonly known biomass utilization technologies, Blue Tower utilizes regenerative feedstock. Blue Tower is an example for multi-feedstock technology. In other words, this technology enables the utilization of very different materials such as garden waste, roadside green cuttings, olive stones, or chicken manure. Since very different materials can be used, Blue Tower does not depend on a single feedstock or its cost-efficient availability. This implies a multitude of location-specific potentials on a worldwide basis.
Which materials are planned to be utilized for the Blue Tower H2Herten?
In the demo project we will use roadside green cuttings. The material will primarily come from the Ruhr area. Long-term supply contracts will be made.
What are the possible applications for Blue Gas?
Blue Gas is a premium-quality gas which above all, is high in hydrogen and includes other gas components which delivers high heating values. It can be provided as a fuel gas or can be used directly in gas motors for regenerative electricity generation. It also serves as a raw material for synthesis gas and can be used as a sustainable hydrogen and energy supplier.
What is special about the Blue Tower process compared to the combustion of biomass or other procedures for regenerative feedstock utilization?
What makes Blue Tower special compared to other processes is the fact that decomposition of the feedstock (pyrolysis) and refinement of the gas produced (reforming) takes place in separate locations. This allows for more precise control of the process steps and increases the overall efficiency of the plant.
What is the difference between Blue Tower and a biogas plant?
In a biogas plant, biomass is "eaten up" by micro-organisms under exclusion of air. Mainly gas is produced as a digestive or metabolic product. This process is referred to as fermentation or anaerobic fermentation. Biogas mainly consists of methane and carbon dioxide. Biogas is produced at temperatures below 100°C. The micro-organisms are not able to digest all the material. Therefore, complete conversion of organic matter (mineralization) is not possible, as a general rule. Blue Tower, however, operates at temperatures above 500°C. The feedstock is fully mineralized. The product gas contains a large amount of hydrogen which more or less does not exist in biogas.
What kind of solid waste is left over in the Blue Tower? Is waste water created?
The solid waste remaining in the Blue Tower is mainly the mineral components of the utilized regenerative feedstock. This process does not produce waste water. There is no specific pollution typical for, or caused by Blue Tower. Organic pollutants are completely broken down in the Blue Tower. The remaining solid waste (ash) can even be used profitably, where appropriate.
Can heavy metals or toxic gases be produced in the Blue Tower?
Heavy metals are not produced in the process. Gases formed during decomposition are again decomposed in the refinement process, being refined into Blue Gas at high temperatures of up to 950°C and by adding steam. The Blue Gas produced is a valuable product gas which is above all used for hydrogen or energy production. Its gas components contained in it therefore, do not reach the environment directly. Blue Gas mainly contains hydrogen. The carbon dioxide which is still part of the Blue Gas is CO2-neutral. During plant growth it is taken from the atmosphere for growth purposes and integrated into the plant material. Another minor component of Blue Gas is carbon monoxide as well as a small amount of residual methane. Carbon monoxide (CO) as a combustible gas is an energy source and therefore an important component of Blue Gas.
Further information on the Blue Tower:
