Biomass-derived Syngas Utilization for Fuels and Chemicals - Final Report
Executive Summary The growing gap between petroleum production and demand, mounting environmental concerns, and increasing fuel prices have stimulated intense interest in research and development (R&D) of alternative fuels, both synthetic and bio-derived. Currently, the most technically defined thermochemical route for producing alternative fuels from lignocellulosic biomass involves gasification/reforming of biomass to produce syngas (carbon monoxide [CO] + hydrogen [H2]), followed by syngas cleaning, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) or mixed alcohol synthesis, and some product upgrading via hydroprocessing or separation. A detailed techno-economic analysis of this type of process has recently been published [1] and it highlights the need for technical breakthroughs and technology demonstration for gas cleanup and fuel synthesis. The latter two technical barrier areas contribute 40% of the total thermochemical ethanol cost and 70% of the production cost, if feedstock costs are factored out. Developing and validating technologies that reduce the capital and operating costs of these unit operations will greatly reduce the risk for commercializing integrated biomass gasification/fuel synthesis processes for biofuel production. The objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate new catalysts and catalytic processes that can efficiently convert biomass-derived syngas into diesel fuel and C2-C4 alcohols. The goal is to improve the economics of the processes by improving the catalytic activity and product selectivity, which could lead to commercialization. The project was divided into 4 tasks: Task 1: Reactor Systems: Construction of three reactor systems was a project milestone. Construction of a fixed-bed microreactor (FBR), a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR), and a slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR) were completed to meet this milestone. Task 2: Iron Fischer-Tropsch (FT) Catalyst: An attrition resistant iron FT catalyst will be developed and tested. Task 3: Chemical Synthesis: Promising process routes will be identified for synthesis of selected chemicals from biomass-derived syngas. A project milestone was to select promising mixed alcohol catalysts and screen productivity and performance in a fixed bed micro-reactor using bottled syngas. This milestone was successfully completed in collaboration withour catalyst development partner. Task 4: Modeling, Engineering Evaluation, and Commercial Assessment: Mass and energy balances of conceptual commercial embodiment for FT and chemical synthesis were completed.
- Research Organization:
- RTI International
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Biomass Program (EE-2E)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG36-05GO85006
- OSTI ID:
- 973825
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-RTI-85006; TRN: US201111%%393
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALTERNATIVE FUELS
BIOFUELS
BIOMASS
CARBON
CATALYSTS
COMMERCIALIZATION
CONSTRUCTION
DIESEL FUELS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY BALANCE
ETHANOL
FISCHER-TROPSCH SYNTHESIS
HYDROGEN
IRON
OPERATING COST
PACKED BEDS
PETROLEUM
PRODUCTIVITY
SYNTHESIS
TANKS
Thermochemical conversion
biofuels
syngas conversion
catalysts
fuel synthesis
Fischer Tropsch
mixed alcohols