Investigation of gasification of biomass in the presence of catalysts

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:5525903

Mudge, L K; Robertus, R J; Sealock, Jr, L J; Mitchell, D H; Weber, S L

The overall objective of this study is to determine the technical and economic feasibility of catalyzed biomass gasification to produce specific products: (a) methane, (b) hydrogen, (c) carbon monoxide, and (d) synthesis gases for generation of ammonia, methanol, or hydrocarbons. Studies that have been completed and previously reported include: (1) determination of relative gasification catalyst activity, (2) determination of reaction kinetics, (3) evaluation of catalyst-wood contacting methods, (4) development of catalyst combinations on a laboratory scale for direct generation of specific products, and (5) design, construction, and operation of a process development unit (PDU) for evaluation of gasification systems. These studies have illustrated the technical feasibility for generating synthesis gases specifically tailored for production of either methanol, hydrocarbons, or ammonia and for generating a methane rich gas. Work to achieve the objectives of this study has continued. Laboratory studies on combined catalyst systems for methane, hydrogen, and carbon monoxide production were completed. Studies on determination of secondary catalyst life and regeneration were initiated. Seed corn was evaluated as an alternative feedstock for synthesis gas generation. The process development unit (PDU) was not operated while modifications were in progress. The PDU modification will permit operation as a fluid bed system. Feasibility studies involved a search for a computer system to aid in evaluation of different processing schemes. ASPEN (Advanced System for Process Engineering simulation) developed at MIT was selected for use. Details of the results obtained since the last contractors' meeting are presented. Status of the project is also presented.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5525903
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-7939(Rev.2); CONF-800234-2(Rev.2)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

08 HYDROGEN
080106 -- Hydrogen-- Production-- Biosynthesis & Photochemical Processes
09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
090221 -- Alcohol Fuels-- Chemical Synthesis-- (1976-1989)
10 SYNTHETIC FUELS
140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
A CODES
ALCOHOLS
ALKANES
BIOMASS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CATALYSIS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTION YIELD
COMPUTER CODES
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
ENERGY SOURCES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FLUIDIZED BED
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
METHANE
METHANOL
OPERATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PRESSURE DEPENDENCE
PROCESS DEVELOPMENT UNITS
PRODUCTION
REACTION KINETICS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SOLID WASTES
SYNTHESIS GAS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTES
WOOD WASTES
YIELDS