RELATING CATALYTIC COAL OR BIOMASS GASIFICATION MECHANISMS TO PLANT CAPITAL-COST COMPONENTS

Selection of equipment for hydrogen production from biomass or coal is dominated by whether the process intent is to maximize pyrolysis and subsequent cracking or steam-char gasification. This paper discusses b ench scale methods for predicting which approach is best suited to spe cific coals or biomass materials. Either reaction mode can be greatly enhanced by use of various catalysts, which adds another, major econom ic dimension to process selection and design. This paper presents benc h scale methodology to determine proportions of hydrogen and methane f rom pyrolysis and gasification reactions, with criteria for relating t hese results to capital cost components of catalytic options in full s cale processes. (C) 1997 International Association for Hydrogen Energy .