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Steam gasification of plant biomass using molten carbonate salts

Author

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  • Hathaway, Brandon J.
  • Honda, Masanori
  • Kittelson, David B.
  • Davidson, Jane H.

Abstract

This paper explores the use of molten alkali-carbonate salts as a reaction and heat transfer medium for steam gasification of plant biomass with the objectives of enhanced heat transfer, faster kinetics, and increased thermal capacitance compared to gasification in an inert gas. The intended application is a solar process in which concentrated solar radiation is the sole source of heat to drive the endothermic production of synthesis gas. The benefits of gasification in a molten ternary blend of lithium, potassium, and sodium carbonate salts is demonstrated for cellulose, switchgrass, a blend of perennial plants, and corn stover through measurements of reaction rate and product composition in an electrically heated reactor. The feedstocks are gasified with steam at 1200 K in argon and in the molten salt. The use of molten salt increases the total useful syngas production by up to 25%, and increases the reactivity index by as much as 490%. Secondary products, in the form of condensable tar, are reduced by 77%.

Suggested Citation

  • Hathaway, Brandon J. & Honda, Masanori & Kittelson, David B. & Davidson, Jane H., 2013. "Steam gasification of plant biomass using molten carbonate salts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 211-217.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:49:y:2013:i:c:p:211-217
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2012.11.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jin, Gong & Iwaki, Hiroyuki & Arai, Norio & Kitagawa, Kuniyuki, 2005. "Study on the gasification of wastepaper/carbon dioxide catalyzed by molten carbonate salts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 30(7), pages 1192-1203.
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    8. Backer, Michael & Gladen, Adam, 2023. "Impact of salt composition and temperature on low-temperature torrefaction of pine in molten nitrate salts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PE).
    9. Li, Jun & Xie, Yingpu & Zeng, Kuo & Flamant, Gilles & Yang, Haiping & Yang, Xinyi & Zhong, Dian & Du, Zhenyi & Chen, Hanping, 2020. "Biomass gasification in molten salt for syngas production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    10. Powell, Kody M. & Rashid, Khalid & Ellingwood, Kevin & Tuttle, Jake & Iverson, Brian D., 2017. "Hybrid concentrated solar thermal power systems: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 215-237.
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    12. Ozalp, Nesrin & Ibrik, Karim & Al-Meer, Mariam, 2013. "Kinetics and heat transfer analysis of carbon catalyzed solar cracking process," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 74-81.
    13. Sánchez, M. & Clifford, B. & Nixon, J.D., 2018. "Modelling and evaluating a solar pyrolysis system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(PA), pages 630-638.
    14. Rodat, Sylvain & Abanades, Stéphane & Boujjat, Houssame & Chuayboon, Srirat, 2020. "On the path toward day and night continuous solar high temperature thermochemical processes: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    15. Gai, Chao & Dong, Yuping & Zhang, Tonghui, 2014. "Downdraft gasification of corn straw as a non-woody biomass: Effects of operating conditions on chlorides distribution," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 638-644.
    16. Wei, Yi & Xie, Jiale & Shen, Chaoyue & Lu, Licong & Ji, Jianbing, 2020. "Electrochemically assisted pyrolysis of rice straw in molten carbonates," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 929-937.
    17. Rizkiana, Jenny & Guan, Guoqing & Widayatno, Wahyu Bambang & Hao, Xiaogang & Wang, Zhongde & Zhang, Zhonglin & Abudula, Abuliti, 2015. "Oil production from mild pyrolysis of low-rank coal in molten salts media," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 944-950.
    18. Xie, Yingpu & Zeng, Kuo & Flamant, Gilles & Yang, Haiping & Liu, Nian & He, Xiao & Yang, Xinyi & Nzihou, Ange & Chen, Hanping, 2019. "Solar pyrolysis of cotton stalk in molten salt for bio-fuel production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 1124-1132.

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