Catalytic-steam gasification of wood for the production of methanol synthesis gas

Conference · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6273936

Baker, E G; Mitchell, D H; Mudge, L K; Brown, M D

In the process being developed by PNL, wood chips are reacted with steam in the presence of catalysts. The shift conversion and reforming reactions take place in the gasifier promoted by the catalyst. After CO/sub 2/ removal the product gas contains about 95% synthesis gas (H/sub 2/ + CO) in approximately 2:1 H/sub 2//CO ratio. Both laboratory and process development unit (PDU) scale studies are being developed. Laboratory studies were successful in developing operating conditions and catalyst systems for the production of methanol synthesis gas. The NiCoMo/SiO/sub 2/-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ catalyst is one of a series of trimetallic catalysts tested. This catalyst reached a lifetime of 1470 g of wood/g catalyst without loss of activity in a laboratory test run. The run was terminated with the catalyst still active. Also studied was the use of alkali carbonates as catalysts for the steam-char reaction. The following conclusions are based on current results from catalyzed steam gasification of wood: steam gasification of wood in the presence of catalysts to produce a methanol synthesis gas is technically feasible; long catalyst lifetimes have been demonstrated in laboratory tests but need to be confirmed in a larger scale gasifier; fluidized bed gasification of wood at 10 atm presents no significant problems; and cost of methanol from large facilities is competitive with the current price of methanol.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6273936
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-10995; CONF-830308-11; ON: DE83010353
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALCOHOLS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CATALYSTS
CATALYTIC EFFECTS
CHALCOGENIDES
COBALT
ECONOMICS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDIZED BED
FLUIDS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METALS
METHANOL
MOLYBDENUM
NICKEL
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PRODUCTION
STEAM
SYNTHESIS GAS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WOOD