CATALYTIC GASIFICATION OF COAL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FUEL-CELL FEEDSTOCK

Fuel cell technology is advancing rapidly. This creates a critical nee d for economical hydrogen production. Proper levels of H-2 and CH2 for fuel cell feed could result from catalytic gasification of low-rank c oal. Bench-scale steam gasification catalyst testing was carried out o n Illinois No. 6 bituminous and Center North Dakota lignite coals with catalysts containing Fe, Ni, Ca, or K and some combinations of these. All of the catalysts tested showed a modest catalytic effect with bot h coals, ranging from negligible to nearly 30-fold increase in reactio n rate. Nickel and iron enhanced the rate slightly, while increasing m ethane concentration. (C) 1997 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. All rights reserved.