From Waste to Clean Fuel: Using Microwave Chemistry to Achieve Process Decarbonization

Conference · Tue Aug 20 04:00:00 EDT 2024

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/2439598· OSTI ID:2439598

Abedin, Ashraf ^[1]; Bai, Xinwei ^[1]; Muley, Pranjali ^[1]

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1. NETL Site Support Contractor, National Energy Technology Laboratory

Microwave co-gasification of plastics and biomass has several advantages over conventional gasification, including enhanced hydrogen production and greater solid-to-gas conversion, as opposed to undesirable char and tar -- via process electrification route. A previous study at NETL has revealed the efficient role of microwave heating, which can liberate the oxygenated free radicals and encourage bond cleavage in non-microwave active plastics, if combined with microwave-active corn stover. However, further reduction of the unwanted tar must be achieved for future process scale-up and higher energy efficiency, which can be realized via a microwave-assisted catalytic approach. This continuous study investigates a series of microwave-active Fe catalysts that can efficiently enhance H2 production and reduce tar for plastic-corn stover co-gasification. The results suggest that in presence of magnetite, hydrogen yield increase 100% as compared to non-catalytic system at similar reaction conditions.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)
• OSTI ID: 2439598
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English