DOE announces gasification project funding
The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that it is providing funding for four projects that are developing technologies for converting carbon-based materials into hydrogen-rich syngas, a material that can become a feedstock for power generation, chemical manufacture, hydrogen and transportation fuels. Syngas is produced by a chemical reaction triggered by the heating of material such as coal with water and oxygen - the extraction of waste carbon dioxide from the reaction products leaves a flammable mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and methane.
“By partnering with industry on promising pathways for high-efficiency, low-pollution power generation and syngas production, the department is demonstrating its commitment to innovative solutions for growing the economy and using coal while protecting the environment,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz in a Nov. 6 announcement. “Advances in the gasification process will allow industry to develop technologies that may open pathways to carbon use in beneficial new ways while also advancing an important method for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Department of Energy says that gasification plants can achieve higher power generation efficiency than conventional coal-fired plants and can act as the basis for what is referred to as an integrated gasification combined cycle power plant. A power plant of this type uses syngas generated from coal while also having capabilities to remove impurities from the gas.
The selected projects involve the development of advanced gasifier designs for the low-cost conversion of coal to high-hydrogen syngas for power plants; the development of technologies for the capture of carbon dioxide from the process; and the evaluation of the use of syngas as a feedstock for liquid fuels.
- Alan Bailey
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