Investigation of gasification of biomass in the presence of catalysts

Technical Report · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5901754· OSTI ID:5901754

Mudge, L. K.; Robertus, R. J.; Sealock, Jr., L. J.; Mitchell, D. H.; Weber, S. L.; Stegen, G. E.

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. Work to achieve the objectives of this study was continued in the laboratory and process development unit (PDU). Laboratory studies further defined the effect of primary catalyst concentration on gasification rate. Systems for direct generation of ammonia synthesis gas and hydrogen were defined at the laboratory scale. No promising system for direct carbon monoxide production was found. A new wood feed system was installed in the PDU and has proved to be reliable and effective for metering wood into the gasifier. New heaters installed in the PDU reactor have greatly improved temperature control in the system. Preliminary calculations on the feasibility of catalyzed gasification of wood to produce methanol are encouraging. Potential methanol yield is about 180 gallons per dry ton of wood. Energy efficiency of the process would be 68%. Details of the results obtained since the last contractors' meeting are presented in the discussion. Status of the project is also presented.

• Research Organization: Battelle Pacific Northwest Labs., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-06-1830
• OSTI ID: 5901754
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-7939
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALCOHOLS
ALKANES
AMMONIA
BIOMASS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ENERGY SOURCES
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HYDRIDES
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN PRODUCTION
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METHANE
METHANOL
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN HYDRIDES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESS DEVELOPMENT UNITS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SYNTHESIS
SYNTHESIS GAS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WOOD