Demonstration of a prototype molten salt solar gasification reactor

Hathaway, Brandon J.; Davidson, Jane H.

doi:10.1016/j.solener.2016.12.032

Cited by 47 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…The coupling of solar energy and thermochemical gasification can be achieved by either considering the two individual systems separately or jointly. The process with indirect coupling makes use of external solar receivers to harness the radiant energy and transmit it to a heat transfer fluid (HTF) such as steam [7], particulate materials [8], molten salt, or slag [9,10] flowing between the receiver and the chemical reactor. The process with direct coupling makes use of cavity-type solar reactors directly receiving the solar radiation at the reaction zone, in which the solar reactor is at the same time the solar receiver and the gasifier [11,12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar-hybrid Thermochemical Gasification of Wood Particles and Solid Recovered Fuel in a Continuously-Fed Prototype Reactor

2020

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Solar thermochemical gasification is a promising solution for the clean production of low-emission synthetic fuels. It offers the possibility to upgrade various biomasses and waste feedstocks and further provides an efficient way to sustainably store solar energy into high-value and energy-intensive chemical fuels. In this work, a novel continuously-fed solar steam gasifier was studied using beechwood and solid recovered fuels (SRF) particles. Solar-only and hybrid solar/autothermal gasification experiments were performed at high temperatures to assess the performance of the reactor and its flexibility in converting various types of feedstocks. The hybrid operation was considered to increase the solar reactor temperature when the solar power input is not sufficient thanks to partial feedstock oxy-combustion. The hybrid solar process is thus a sustainable alternative option outperforming the conventional gasification processes for syngas production. Wood and waste particles solar conversion was successfully achieved, yielding high-quality syngas and suitable reactor performance, with Cold Gas Efficiencies (CGE) up to 1.04 and 1.13 respectively during the allothermal operation. The hybrid process allowed operating with a lower solar power input, but the H2 and CO yields noticeably declined. SRF gasification experiments suffered furthermore from ash melting/agglomeration issues and injection instabilities that undermined the continuity of the process. This study demonstrated the solar reactor flexibility in converting both biomass and waste feedstocks into syngas performed in continuous feeding operation. The experimental outcomes showed the feasibility of operating the reactor in both allothermal (solar-only) and hybrid allothermal/autothermal (combined solar and oxy-combustion heating) for continuous syngas production with high yields and energy conversion efficiencies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar-hybrid Thermochemical Gasification of Wood Particles and Solid Recovered Fuel in a Continuously-Fed Prototype Reactor

2020

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“…Evidence has also been shown as to the catalytic nature of single alkali metal carbonates during the gasification of carbonaceous fuels . Some work on pyrolysis and gasification of biomass feedstocks has been carried out using molten carbonates as both a heat transfer medium and a catalytic reaction environment …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[4][5][6][7][8] Some work on pyrolysis and gasification of biomass feedstocks has been carried out using molten carbonates as both a heat transfer medium and a catalytic reaction environment. [9] In all applications, both the reaction chemistry of these carbonates and their thermal properties are of considerable importance. In the DCFC, best performance has been observed for those which use a hybrid arrangement comprising a primary electrolyte, such as a solid oxide conductor, along with a secondary molten carbonate electrolyte.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Carbon Gasification from a Molten Carbonate Eutectic

2019

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This investigation explores the impact of using a ternary alkali metal carbonate eutectic, i.e., Li2CO3, Na2CO3, and K2CO3 (43.5: 31.5: 25 mol%, respectively), as a catalyst for carbon gasification under CO2 and non‐CO2 atmospheres. Gasification under CO2, i.e., the reverse Boudouard reaction, is a well‐understood process with considerable commercial interest. However, in the context of direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) operations, it is a parasitic reaction because it consumes fuel without producing power. In this study, the effect on carbon gasification of a common DCFC electrolyte is examined. Thermogravimetric analysis shows gasification occurring in the absence of a CO2 atmosphere, which has significant implications for DCFCs using alkali metal carbonates as the secondary electrolyte. A combined reaction mechanism is proposed which entails gasification from carbonate and carbonate decomposition.

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“…Previous indirectly-irradiated designs have implemented absorbing/ emitting tubes [7][8][9][10][11][12], plates [13][14][15], or cylindrical cavities [16,17] to transfer heat to reactants. SiC is commonly used as an absorbing material due to its favorable properties: high emissivity, high thermal conductivity, inertness at high temperatures, and low coefficient of thermal expansion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, all previous packedbed investigations have operated in a batch-mode. An additional design has explored the use of molten salt as a reaction and heat transfer medium for gasification [17,29,30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%