Biothermal gasification of biomass

Conference · Mon Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5306152

Chynoweth, D. P.; Srivastava, V. J.; Henry, M. P.; Tarman, P. B.

The BIOTHERMGAS Process is described for conversion of biomass, organic residues, and peat to substitute natural gas (SNG). This new process, under development at IGT, combines biological and thermal processes for total conversion of a broad variety of organic feeds (regardless of water or nutrient content). The process employs thermal gasification for conversion of refractory digester residues. Ammonia and other inorganic nutrients are recycled from the thermal process effluent to the bioconversion unit. Biomethanation and catalytic methanation are presented as alternative processes for methanation of thermal conversion product gases. Waste heat from the thermal component is used to supply the digester heat requirements of the bioconversion component. The results of a preliminary systems analysis of three possible applications of this process are presented: (1) 10,000 ton/day Bermuda grass plant with catalytic methanation; (2) 10,000 ton/day Bermuda grass plant with biomethanation; and (3) 1000 ton/day municipal solid waste (MSW) sewage sludge plant with biomethanation. The results indicate that for these examples, performance is superior to that expected for biological or thermal processes used separately. The results of laboratory studies presented suggest that effective conversion of thermal product gases can be accomplished by biomethanation.

• OSTI ID: 5306152
• Report Number(s): CONF-800129-6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ALKANES
AMMONIA
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
BIOSYNTHESIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CONVERSION
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DATA
DATA COMPILATION
DATA FORMS
DIGESTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HIGH BTU GAS
HYDRIDES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT
MATERIAL BALANCE
METHANATION
METHANE
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
PEAT
PROCESSING
RECYCLING
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SNG PROCESSES
SYNTHESIS
TABLES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTE HEAT UTILIZATION
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE PRODUCT UTILIZATION
WASTES