1. Gasification Kinetics of Coal and Biomass Estefania Alba Merced Ramirez Joshua Felton

2. Outline • Objective • Introduction/Background • Methodology • Results • Conclusion

3. Objective • The goal of this research project is to study the effect of blending biomass with coal on the gasification reactivity. Gasification of coal and biomass can increase efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

4. Introduction World Primary Energy Production by Source 1990, 2006. (Quadrillion Btu)

5. Background Coal Biomass • ADVANTAGES • Enormous world stock • High energy density • Relatively low cost • No seasonal limitations • DRAWBACKS • Environmentally harmful compounds (S, N,CO2) • Low H/C ratio • Non renewable source • ADVANTAGES • Economic way to dispose waste • Content less pollutants • Carbon neutral • High H2 content • DRAWBACKS • Low energy density • Seasonal limitation • Poor reliability in supply • High moisture content

6. Background Combustion is an exothermic reaction between a fuel and an oxidizer. Gasification is an endothermic reaction between a carbonaceous fuel and a gas in a reactor where the oxygen supply is limited (partial oxidation). Fuel + oxygen (limited) + Steam/CO2 →hydrogen + carbon monoxide + (some water and carbon dioxide + light hydrocarbons ) Fuel+ oxygen →heat + water+ carbon dioxide

7. Methodology Coal is easier to grind due to Coalification Biomass has a fibrous structure which makes it hard to grind Ball mill or Bar/rod mill Hammer mill Coal: Bituminous coal (Pittsburgh #8) Milled to: < 140 mesh(<105 μm) Biomass: Switchgrass Milled to: 60-120 mesh (250-125 μm) 120-200 mesh (125-74 μm) < 200 mesh (< 74 μm)

8. Methodology Proximate analysis determines the percentage composition of moisture, volatile matter, fixed carbon and ash

9. Methodology Ultimate analysis determines the elemental composition

10. Methodology Feeder Drop Tube Furnace Furnace Collection Probe

11. Methodology The Thermo Gravimetric Analyzer is used to determine the rate of reaction • Sample Biomass: 60-120 mesh Coal: < 140 mesh • Blend ratio (Energy basis) • Method • Moisture 107℃ in N2 (Flow rate100 ml/min) • Volatile 950 ℃ in N2 (Flow rate100 ml/min) • Char 950 ℃ in CO2 (Flow rate100 ml/min)

12. Results

13. Results

14. Conclusion A blend of 60% biomass and 40% coal: • reacts faster than other blends Use of biomass in thermochemical processes can • increase efficiency • reduce CO2 emission • reduce emission of other environmentally harmful compounds

15. Acknowledgements Eberly College of Science Daniel J. Larson College of Earth and Mineral Sciences William E. Easterling Dr. Sarma Pisupati Aime Hilaire Tchapda Brandon Emig Jody Markley Derek James UBMS Staff