Thermochemical conversion of biomass to fuels and feedstocks an overview of research and development activities funded by DOE (U. S. Department of Energy)
- Battelle Mem. Inst., Pac. Northwest Lab.
DOE's Northwest Laboratory in Richland, Wash., manages 14 biomass conversion projects which fall into four categories: direct combustion of biomass feedstocks, direct liquefaction, gasification, and indirect liquefaction from synthesis gas. Direct combustion is already widely practiced, but the other three areas will probably not have a significant effect on U.S. energy supplies for 10-20 yr. DOE is sponsoring two biomass combustion projects: one with Aerospace Research Corp. to develop a wood-fueled combuster that can be directly retrofitted to existing oil- or gas-fired boilers, and the other, with Wheelabrator Cleanfuel Corp. to demonstrate large-scale cogeneration of industrial steam and electricity from wood. Although biomass is renewable and more reactive than coal, the transportation of biomass is expensive. With DOE support, the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory has developed a direct liquefaction process that involves the conversion of a slurry of hydrolyzed wood chips, with the aid of sodium carbonate, to an oil with about a 15,500 Btu/lb heating value. The major focus of DOE support involves projects seeking to produce medium-Btu gas by gasification or indirect liquefaction.
- OSTI ID:
- 6416533
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-790917-
- Journal Information:
- Chem. Eng. News; (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Eng. News; (United States) Vol. 57:40; ISSN CENEA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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BIOMASS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
COST
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GASIFICATION
INTERMEDIATE BTU GAS
LIQUEFACTION
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OXIDATION
PRODUCTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
US DOE
US ORGANIZATIONS
WOOD