Importance of a noncatalytic step in the distributed reforming of bio-oil for hydrogen production

FUEL 200

Jonathan R. Marda, jmarda@mines.edu1, Stefan R. Czernik, stefan_czernik@nrel.gov2, Anthony M. Dean, amdean@mines.edu1, Robert Evans, bob_evans@nrel.gov, Richard J. French, richard_french@nrel.gov2, and Matthew A. Ratcliff, matthew_ratcliff@nrel.gov3. (1) Chemical Engineering Dept, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO 80401, (2) National Bioenergy Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, CO 80401, (3) Center for Transportation Technologies and Systems, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401
We report a novel intermediate temperature partial oxidative process for the distributed production of hydrogen from bio-oil. Bio-oil is injected into a vertical reactor using an ultrasonic nozzle, which generates a fine mist and allows for good contact between bio-oil and oxygen thus creating optimal conditions for the conversion of bio-oil. 60% bio-oil carbon to CO conversion has been observed in a non-catalytic first step. This step is followed by a catalytic reaction with steam where equilibrium yields of hydrogen (~80 %) have been achieved. The effects of the non-catalytic partial oxidation are being explored by varying the position of the catalyst to change the residence time. The results of these efforts as well as the results of detailed kinetic modeling performed on model compounds will be presented. This modeling will allow us to gain a better understanding of the chemistry involved in the non-catalytic step.
 

Clean Energy, Fuels and Chemicals from Biomass
1:30 PM-3:25 PM, Wednesday, April 9, 2008 Morial Convention Center -- Rm. 242, Oral

Division of Fuel Chemistry

The 235th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, April 6-10, 2008