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Fundamental studies of catalytic gasification: Quarterly report, January 1, 1989--March 31, 1989. [K-Ni and K-Ca catalysts]

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6134089

This program has investigated the role of catalysts in relatively low temperature steam gasification. New mechanisms have been demonstrated and it has been shown that combinations of alkali hydroxide with transition metal oxides form compounds which act as the true catalyst to produce mostly hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Most of the mechanistic work has been done with graphite as a pure source of carbon. A number of chars with different ash contents and ash compositions have been gasified at relatively low temperatures (/approximately/800K). There is a major effect of the ash content on the catalyst. In some cases catalysts are being rapidly deactivated by ash components while in other cases gasification is promoted by ash. Demineralized chars can be gasified at low temperature with the potassium-nickel catalyst without appreciable deactivation. More recently it has been found that combinations of alkali and earth alkali catalysts, for instance mixtures of potassium and calcium oxides, are excellent gasification catalyst that cannot easily be poisoned by ash components. These catalysts are also considerably less expensive than transition metal compound containing materials. 12 figs., 2 tabs.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
6134089
Report Number(s):
LBL-26891; ON: DE89012834
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English