Solar Gasification of Biomass: Kinetics of Pyrolysis and Steam Gasification in Molten Salt

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Hathaway ◽  
Jane H. Davidson ◽  
David B. Kittelson

The use of concentrated solar energy as a heat source for pyrolysis and gasification of biomass is an efficient means for production of hydrogen rich synthesis gas. Utilizing molten alkali carbonate salts as a reaction and heat transfer media promises enhanced stability to solar transients and faster reaction rates. The present study establishes and compares the reaction kinetics of pyrolysis and gasification of cellulose from 1124 K to 1235 K in an electric furnace. Data are presented in an inert environment and in a bath of a ternary eutectic blend of lithium, potassium, and sodium carbonate salts. Arrhenius rate expressions are derived from the data supported by a numerical model of heat and mass transfer. The molten salt increases the rate of pyrolysis by 74% and increases gasification rates by more than an order of magnitude while promoting a product gas composition nearer to thermodynamic equilibrium predictions. These results justify using molten carbonate salts as a combined catalyst and heat transfer media for solar gasification.

Author(s):  
Brandon J. Hathaway ◽  
Jane H. Davidson ◽  
David B. Kittelson

The use of concentrated solar energy for pyrolysis and gasification of biomass is an efficient means for production of hydrogen rich synthesis gas. Utilizing molten alkali-carbonate salts as a reaction and heat transfer media offers enhanced stability and higher reaction rates to these solar processes. To establish the reaction kinetics, experiments were carried out in an electrically heated molten salt reactor. Cellulose or activated charcoal were pyrolyzed or gasified with steam from 1124 K to 1235 K with and without salt. Arrhenius rate expressions are derived from the data supported by a numerical model of heat and mass transfer. The average rate of the reactions in molten salt, as measured by their reactivity index, is increased by 70% for pyrolysis and by an order of magnitude for steam gasification.


Author(s):  
Brandon J. Hathaway ◽  
Masanori Honda ◽  
Jane H. Davidson

The use of concentrated solar energy for gasification of biomass is an efficient means for production of hydrogen rich synthesis gas. Utilizing molten alkali-carbonate salts as a reaction and heat transfer medium offers enhanced heat transfer, faster kinetics, and stability for solar transients. The effect of the molten salts on gasification of switchgrass is examined in terms of the reaction rates and product composition. Experiments were carried out in an electrically heated molten salt reactor. Switchgrass was gasified with steam at 1200 K in an inert gas and with salt. Reactivity indexes were calculated from measured gas production rates. Product composition was established via mass spectrometry. In salt, the total useful syngas production increased by 30% while reducing net carbon dioxide production. Reactivity increased 81%. Secondary products, in the form of condensable tar and unreacted char, were reduced by 77%.


Energy ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 211-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Hathaway ◽  
Masanori Honda ◽  
David B. Kittelson ◽  
Jane H. Davidson

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 5737
Author(s):  
Zhiyu Tong ◽  
Linfeng Li ◽  
Yuanyuan Li ◽  
Qingmeng Wang ◽  
Xiaomin Cheng

The multiple eutectic nitrates with a low melting point are widely used in the field of solar thermal utilization due to their good thermophysical properties. The addition of nanoparticles can improve the heat transfer and heat storage performance of nitrate. This article explored the effect of MgO nanoparticles on the thermal properties of ternary eutectic nitrates. As a result of the decomposition reaction of the Mg(OH)2 precursor at high temperature, MgO nanoparticles were synthesized in situ in the LiNO3–NaNO3–KNO3 ternary eutectic nitrate system. XRD and Raman results showed that MgO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized in situ in the ternary nitrate system. SEM and EDS results showed no obvious agglomeration. The specific heat capacity of the modified salt is significantly increased. When the content of MgO nanoparticles is 2 wt %, the specific heat of the modified salt in the solid phase and the specific heat in the liquid phase increased by 51.54% and 44.50%, respectively. The heat transfer performance of the modified salt is also significantly improved. When the content of MgO nanoparticles is 5 wt %, the thermal diffusion coefficient of the modified salt is increased by 39.3%. This study also discussed the enhancement mechanism of the specific heat capacity of the molten salt by the nanoparticles mainly due to the higher specific surface energy of MgO and the semi-solid layer that formed between the MgO nanoparticles and the molten salt.


Author(s):  
Doug Brosseau ◽  
Mike Edgar ◽  
John W. Kelton ◽  
Kye Chisman ◽  
Daniel Ray ◽  
...  

Parabolic trough power systems that utilize concentrated solar energy to generate electricity are a proven technology. Industry and laboratory research efforts are now focusing on integration of thermal energy storage as a viable means to enhance dispatchability of concentrated solar energy. One option to significantly reduce costs is to use thermocline storage systems, low-cost filler materials as the primary thermal storage medium, and molten nitrate salts as the direct heat transfer fluid. Prior thermocline evaluations and thermal cycling tests at the Sandia National Laboratories’ National Solar Thermal Test Facility identified quartzite rock and silica sand as potential filler materials. An expanded series of isothermal and thermal cycling experiments were planned and implemented to extend those studies in order to demonstrate the durability of these filler materials in molten nitrate salts over a range of operating temperatures for extended timeframes. Upon test completion, careful analyses of filler material samples, as well as the molten salt, were conducted to assess long-term durability and degradation mechanisms in these test conditions. Analysis results demonstrate that the quartzite rock and silica sand appear able to withstand the molten salt environment quite well. No significant deterioration that would impact the performance or operability of a thermocline thermal energy storage system was evident. Therefore, additional studies of the thermocline concept can continue armed with confidence that appropriate filler materials have been identified for the intended application.


2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Brosseau ◽  
John W. Kelton ◽  
Daniel Ray ◽  
Mike Edgar ◽  
Kye Chisman ◽  
...  

Parabolic trough power systems that utilize concentrated solar energy to generate electricity are a proven technology. Industry and laboratory research efforts are now focusing on integration of thermal energy storage as a viable means to enhance dispatchability of concentrated solar energy. One option to significantly reduce costs is to use thermocline storage systems, low-cost filler materials as the primary thermal storage medium, and molten nitrate salts as the direct heat transfer fluid. Prior thermocline evaluations and thermal cycling tests at the Sandia National Laboratories’ National Solar Thermal Test Facility identified quartzite rock and silica sand as potential filler materials. An expanded series of isothermal and thermal cycling experiments were planned and implemented to extend those studies in order to demonstrate the durability of these filler materials in molten nitrate salts over a range of operating temperatures for extended time frames. Upon test completion, careful analyses of filler material samples, as well as the molten salt, were conducted to assess long-term durability and degradation mechanisms in these test conditions. Analysis results demonstrate that the quartzite rock and silica sand appear able to withstand the molten salt environment quite well. No significant deterioration that would impact the performance or operability of a thermocline thermal energy storage system was evident. Therefore, additional studies of the thermocline concept can continue armed with confidence that appropriate filler materials have been identified for the intended application.


1989 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 1311-1317
Author(s):  
Miroslav Magura ◽  
Ján Vojtko ◽  
Ján Ilavský

The kinetics of liquid-phase isothermal esterification of POCl3 with 2-isopropylphenol and 4-isopropylphenol have been studied within the temperature intervals of 110 to 130 and 90 to 110 °C, respectively. The rate constants and activation energies of the individual steps of this three-step reaction have been calculated from the values measured. The reaction rates of the two isomers markedly differ: at 110 °C 4-isopropylphenol reacts faster by the factors of about 7 and 20 for k1 and k3, respectively. This finding can be utilized in preparation of mixed triaryl phosphates, since the alkylation mixture after reaction of phenol with propene contains an excess of 2-isopropylphenol over 4-isopropylphenol.


Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 284
Author(s):  
Faranak Foroughi ◽  
Jacob J. Lamb ◽  
Odne S. Burheim ◽  
Bruno G. Pollet

Sonoelectrochemistry is the combination of ultrasound and electrochemistry which provides many advantages in electrochemistry, such as fast reaction rates, surface cleaning and activation, and increased mass transport at an electrode. Due to the advantages, some efforts have been made in order to benefit sonoelectrochemistry in the field of energy and environmental engineering. This review paper highlights the developed progress of the application of sonoelectrochemistry in the production of hydrogen, electrocatalyst materials and electrodes for fuel cells and semiconductor photocatalyst materials. This review also provides the experimental methods that are utilized in several sonoelectrochemical techniques, such as different set-ups generally used for the synthesis of energy-related materials. Different key parameters in the operation of sonoelectrochemical synthesis including ultrasonication time, ultrasound frequency and operation current have been also discussed. There are not many research articles on the sonoelectrochemical production of materials for supercapacitors and water electrolyzers which play crucial roles in the renewable energy industry. Therefore, at the end of this review, some articles which have reported the use of ultrasound for the production of electrocatalysts for supercapacitors and electrolyzers have been reviewed. The current review might be helpful for scientists and engineers who are interested in and working on sonoelectrochemistry and electrocatalyst synthesis for energy storage and energy conversion.


Catalysts ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 507
Author(s):  
Chrysovalantis C. Templis ◽  
Nikos G. Papayannakos

Mass and heat transfer coefficients (MTC and HTC) in automotive exhaust catalytic monolith channels are estimated and correlated for a wide range of gas velocities and prevailing conditions of small up to real size converters. The coefficient estimation is based on a two dimensional computational fluid dynamic (2-D CFD) model developed in Comsol Multiphysics, taking into account catalytic rates of a real catalytic converter. The effect of channel size and reaction rates on mass and heat transfer coefficients and the applicability of the proposed correlations at different conditions are discussed. The correlations proposed predict very satisfactorily the mass and heat transfer coefficients calculated from the 2-D CFD model along the channel length. The use of a one dimensional (1-D) simplified model that couples a plug flow reactor (PFR) with mass transport and heat transport effects using the mass and heat transfer correlations of this study is proved to be appropriate for the simulation of the monolith channel operation.


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