Das Projekt "Erzeugung von Energie und Waerme durch Vergasung von Rinde" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Friedrich Wahl GmbH & Co. KG durchgeführt. Objective: Using a double stage gasifier (Michel Kim system) to use locally produced wood waste for gas production. The gas is subsequently used as the source of fuel for 4 Otto gas engines having a total generating capacity of 500 Kw.el. General Information: Gasification of bark is performed in a Michel Kim gasification system of +/- 500 kW el. capacity, working in concurrent flow. The system consist of a two-stage gasifier made by Spama of Berlin. The primary gasification stage partially gasifies pre-dried wood waste to produce an intermediate product (coke) at around 600 degree. C. The air in the gasifier is preheated with waste heat. The secondary stage consists of a coke bed at 950 degree. C. fired by pure air which converts the tars and residual heavy hydrocarbons into combustible gas. The gas then passes through a washer and a cooler. Waste heat from the cooler is used to pre-dry the gasification material. Four Otto gas engines (M.A.N.), each with a capacity of 125 kW el., have been installed. The entire unit is automatic and operates unmanned. Heat produced is used for: - the timber drying halls - the work rooms - the office and accommodations - the storage heaters. Achievements: The Michel Kim gasifier has worked since autumn 1984: many problems have been solved, but the gas production has never been enough for feeding the four gas engines. With a wood waste containing up to 160 per cent moisture, about 580 m3 gas were produced, enough to generate 170 - 250 kWh of electricity. It was impossible to generate any more electricity with the gasifier. It would have taken two gasifiers to attain the 450 kWhe which the sawmill needed. The results obtained clearly show that technical improvements are still necessary in order to run in optimal conditions. Economically the process is not viable with the present energy prices. After more than one year of attempts to improve process efficiency, the project has been stopped.