Gasification is a process in which carbon-containing (carbonaceous) materials, such as fossil fuels or biofuels, and steam undergo chemical reactions to form CO2, CO, and H2, often grouped together under the label “syngas.” These products can be used directly as a fuel or further processed using known methods (e.g. Fischer-Tropsch synthesis) to produce conventional liquid fuels for use in the transportation sector. Gasification typically takes place at elevated temperatures, which can be reached in a variety of ways. In conventional autothermal gasification, O2 is introduced to the carbonaceous reactants and water vapor, resulting in partial combustion. This exothermic process provides the necessary heat to drive the gasification. On the other hand, in allothermal gasification, an external source of heat such as concentrated solar irradiation, drives the gasification reactions in the absence of O2, thereby bypassing combustion.
Solar Gasification
The Solar FTL studies both autothermal and allothermal gasification, and ways in which both processes can be used in tandem to utilize concentrating solar resources. Solar gasification reactors that are capable of allothermal operation during the day and autothermal operation at night or during intermittent periods of decreased sunlight can work around-the-clock, improve the efficiency of syngas production, and reduce emissions of CO2.
For more information on the Solar FTL’s solar gasification research, please see our following publications:
· Modeling of a Dynamically-Controlled Hybrid Solar/Autothermal Steam Gasification Reactor
· Design and Demonstration of a Prototype 1.5 kWth Hybrid Solar/Autothermal Steam Gasifier
