A multi-purpose pilot-scale molten metal & molten salt pyrolysis reactor

Solar reforming of biogas or biomethane represents an example hydrogen production from the combination of renewable sources such as biomass and solar energy. Thanks to its relatively low-cost and flexibility, solar-reforming can represent a complementary source of hydrogen where/when the demand exceeds the green hydrogen availability from water electrolysis powered by PV or wind. Molten salts can be used as heat transfer fluid and heat storage medium in solar-driven steam reforming. The main units of the process have been developed at the pilot scale and experimentally tested in a molten salt experimental loop at ENEA-Casaccia research center: a molten salt heater and a molten salt membrane reformer. After experimental validation, techno-economic studies have been carried out to assess the solar reforming technology on commercial scale and exploitation opportunities have been analysed.

Download Full-text

Pilot scale conical spouted bed pyrolysis reactor: Draft tube selection and hydrodynamic performance

Powder Technology ◽

10.1016/j.powtec.2011.12.008 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 219 ◽

pp. 49-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Jon Makibar ◽

Aranzazu R. Fernandez-Akarregi ◽

Luis Díaz ◽

Gartzen Lopez ◽

Martin Olazar

Keyword(s):

Draft Tube ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Hydrodynamic Performance ◽

Spouted Bed ◽

Pyrolysis Reactor

Download Full-text

Removal of PFAS from biosolids by a semi-pilot scale pyrolysis reactor and the application of biosolids derived biochar for the removal of PFAS from contaminated water

Environmental Science Water Research & Technology ◽

10.1039/d0ew00763c ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sazal K Kundu ◽

Savankumar Patel ◽

Pobitra Halder ◽

Tejas Patel ◽

Mojtaba Hedayati Marzbali ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pilot Scale ◽

Contaminated Water ◽

Polyfluoroalkyl Substances ◽

Pyrolysis Reactor

This study focuses on the conversion of biosolids to biochar and its further use in adsorbing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from contaminated water. In particular, the study aims to...

Download Full-text

Recycling of aluminium laminated pouches and Tetra Pak cartons by molten metal pyrolysis – Pilot-scale experiments and economic analysis

Waste Management ◽

10.1016/j.wasman.2021.11.049 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 138 ◽

pp. 172-179

Author(s):

Frank Riedewald ◽

Edward Wilson ◽

Yunus Patel ◽

Daniel Vogt ◽

Ian Povey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Economic Analysis ◽

Molten Metal ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Tetra Pak

Download Full-text

Development of a Molten-Salt Thermocline Thermal Storage System for Parabolic Trough Plants

Journal of Solar Energy Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.1464123 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 124 (2) ◽

pp. 153-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 315

Author(s):

James E. Pacheco ◽

Steven K. Showalter ◽

William J. Kolb

Keyword(s):

Molten Salt ◽

Thermal Gradient ◽

Power Plants ◽

Low Cost ◽

Storage System ◽

Thermal Storage ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Heat Transfer Fluid ◽

Parabolic Trough ◽

Molten Salt System

Thermal storage improves the dispatchability and marketability of parabolic trough power plants allowing them to produce electricity on demand independent of solar collection. One such thermal storage system, a thermocline, uses a single tank containing a fluid with a thermal gradient running vertically through the tank, where hotter fluid (lower density) is at the top of the tank and colder fluid is at the base of the tank. The thermal gradient separates the two temperature potentials. A low-cost filler material provides the bulk of the thermal capacitance of the thermal storage, prevents convective mixing, and reduces the amount of fluid required. In this paper, development of a thermocline system that uses molten-nitrate salt as the heat transfer fluid is described and compared to a two-tank molten salt system. Results of isothermal and thermal cycling tests on candidate materials and salt safety tests are presented as well as results from a small pilot-scale (2.3 MWh) thermocline.

Download Full-text

Addition of Molten Salt in Molten Metal. Structure and Dynamics

ECS Proceedings Volumes ◽

10.1149/198707.0244pv ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 1987-7 (1) ◽

pp. 244-255

Author(s):

J. F. Jal

Keyword(s):

Molten Salt ◽

Molten Metal ◽

Metal Structure ◽

Structure And Dynamics

Download Full-text

Development of a Molten-Salt Thermocline Thermal Storage System for Parabolic Trough Plants

Solar Engineering 2001: (FORUM 2001: Solar Energy — The Power to Choose) ◽

10.1115/sed2001-158 ◽

2001 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

James E. Pacheco ◽

Steven K. Showalter ◽

William J. Kolb

Keyword(s):

Molten Salt ◽

Thermal Gradient ◽

Power Plants ◽

Low Cost ◽

Storage System ◽

Thermal Storage ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Heat Transfer Fluid ◽

Parabolic Trough ◽

Molten Salt System

Abstract Thermal storage improves the dispatchability and marketability of parabolic trough power plants allowing them to produce electricity on demand independent of solar collection. One such thermal storage system, a thermocline, uses a single tank containing a fluid with a thermal gradient running vertically through the tank, where hotter fluid (lower density) is at the top of the tank and colder fluid is at the base of the tank. The thermal gradient separates the two temperature potentials. A low-cost filler material provides the bulk of the thermal capacitance of the thermal storage, prevents convective mixing, and reduces the amount of fluid required. In this paper, development of a thermocline system that uses molten-nitrate salt as the heat transfer fluid is described and compared to a two-tank molten salt system. Results of isothermal and thermal cycling tests on candidate materials and salt safety tests are presented as well as results from a small pilot-scale (2.3 MWh) thermocline.

Download Full-text

Challenges Experienced in Scaling-Up the CSIR-Ti Process

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.1019.187 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 1019 ◽

pp. 187-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Salomon Johannes Oosthuizen ◽

Jaco Johannes Swanepoel ◽

Dawid Steyn van Vuuren

Keyword(s):

High Temperature ◽

Molten Salt ◽

Metal Powder ◽

Molten Metal ◽

Pilot Plant ◽

Scaling Up ◽

Small Scale ◽

Titanium Metal ◽

Feed System ◽

Compact Size

The CSIR-Ti process produces titanium metal powder through continuous stepwise metallothermic reduction of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) in molten salt medium, and represents a cost-effective alternative to the standard Kroll process to produce titanium metal. Subsequent to proving the CSIR-Ti process at bench scale producing batches of ±2 kg titanium powder, the design, build and test of a continuous 2 kg/h Ti pilot plant was authorised. The scale-up process highlighted limited expertise in South Africa with regards to handling molten salt and molten reducing metals. Such gaps in knowledge are addressed in this study, which discusses a number of the engineering challenges faced and solutions developed around agitation of molten salt reactors, process pipe heating and insulation, molten salt flow measurement and also feeding of a highly reactive molten reducing metal. Scaling up the CSIR-Ti process, with requirements of continuous operation, compact size, effective agitation, pumping and maintaining salt in the molten state brought an unusual set of challenges requiring development of unique and prototype equipment. Further challenges were encountered in the handling and continuous feeding of molten reducing metal at the relatively small scale of the pilot plant. Solutions developed and discussed in this study include custom-modified agitators, custom-developed flow meters for measuring molten salt and molten metal flows, and a custom-designed molten metal feed system. Specialised materials such as, ultra-high temperature heating tape and ultra-low thermal conductivity insulation had to be imported as well as a special high-temperature pump that can pump a slurry consisting of molten salt containing a high weight percentage of suspended metal powder. The experience illustrates the technological difficulty of bridging the chasm between science and technology in that many unforeseen problems are encountered when developing and scaling up a new technology.

Download Full-text