Steam gasification of wood in the presence of catalysts

Conference · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6680388

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

Catalytic steam gasification of wood, including sawdust, chipped forest slash, and mill shavings, is being investigated. Results of laboratory, process development unit (PDU), and feasibility studies illustrate attractive processes for conversion of wood to methanol and a substitute natural gas (SNG). Recent laboratory studies developed a long-lived alloy catalyst for generation of a methanol synthesis gas by steam gasification of wood. Modification of the PDU for operation at 10 atm (150 psia) is complete and initial tests have been completed. The modified PDU will be operated at elevated pressures to confirm yields and design parameters used in process feasibility studies. A computer program for evaluating the effect of yield changes on process economics was completed. The base case was the study on economics of methanol-from-wood using catalytic gasification. This study showed that methanol-from-wood by catalytic gasification was competitive with process for methanol production from natural gas.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6680388
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-9954-Rev.1; CONF-820685-3-Rev.1; ON: DE83002071
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALCOHOLS
CATALYSTS
COMPUTER CODES
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GASES
GASIFICATION
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
METHANOL
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROCESS DEVELOPMENT UNITS
PRODUCTION
SYNTHESIS GAS
TESTING
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WOOD