Hydrogen generation via catalytic aqueous-phase reforming of biomass-based feedstocks

PETR 66

Randy D. Cortright, randy_cortright@virent.com, Virent Energy Systems, INC, 3571 Anderson Street, Madison, WI 53704
Virent Energy Systems, Inc. is commercializing its patented Aqueous-Phase Reforming Process (BioFormingTM ) technology platform that allows the generation of variety of products such as hydrogen, liquid fuels, and chemicals from biomass-derived compounds. A critical component of this technology platform is the ability to generate hydrogen from the targeted biomass-based feedstocks. This generated hydrogen can either be separated as a product or utilized within the Bioforming Process to produce proven liquid fuels such as gasoline and diesel from sugar-based feedstocks. Utilizing a simple catalytic reactor system, the BioForming technology is capable of reforming a variety of carbohydrates feedstocks into a variety of hydrocarbons products. This presentation will cover the technical background of the Bioforming process and will provide current results from pilot plants studies for the production of hydrogen, gasoline, and chemicals. Also discussed will be the economics of generating hydrogen from biomass via Bioforming process.