Through the use of a metal catalyst, gasification of wet biomass can be accomplished with high levels of carbon conversion to gas at relatively low temperature (350 ?C). In the pressurized-water environment (20 MPa) near-total conversion of the organic structure of biomass to gases has been accomplished in the presence of a ruthenium metal catalyst. The process is essentially steam reforming as there is no added oxidizer or reagent other than water. In addition, the gas produced is a medium-heating value gas due to the synthesis of high-levels of methane, as dictated by thermodynamic equilibrium. Biomass trace components cause processing difficulties using the fixed catalyst bed tubular reactor system. Results are described for both bench-scale and scaled-up reactor systems.
Revised: June 30, 2004 |
Published: July 1, 2004
Citation
Elliott D.C., G.G. Neuenschwander, T.R. Hart, R.S. Butner, A.H. Zacher, M.H. Engelhard, and J.S. Young, et al. 2004.Chemical Processing in High-Pressure Aqueous Environments. 7. Process Development for Catalytic Gasification of Wet Biomass Feedstocks.Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research 43, no. 9:1999-2004.PNNL-SA-40279.