GAS-L: Steam Reforming: List "Comments"

[Peter Singfield <snkm@btl.net>]

At 08:39 PM 9/2/2001 -0400, "Don Cox" <doncox@fox.nstn.ca> wrote:

>I'm enjoying your new proposal.  I really want to get to
>sit down with you though so we can go over it at leisure.

I am sure that any fundamental problems with this concept will be dug out
on the Gas list.

Basically -- this is just a single long boiler tube -- the kind that is
already used in modern high temp/press boilers (so not arguments there) --
one part surrounded by liquid metal -- the other by a heat exchanger circuit.

The people in Hawaii mention that it takes 30 seconds for this reaction to
reach completion. So one makes sure it takes more than 30 seconds for the
biomass "slurry" to push though the length heated by molten metal.

Feeding is not a problem -- any hydraulic "ram" will push the slurry
through -- As it is a relatively slow push -- use two such "rams" -- while
one is pushing -- the other is loading.

I would not depend on "check-valves" -- they would be a problem to keep clear.

I would have a regular pressure valve screw shut -- and open -- as
required. As there is lots of time -- could even be done manually -- but a
servo-motor would make that part automatic.

Otherwise -- I see no reason it should not work as demonstrated in that
flow diagram. The boiler tube that can take those temps and pressures is a
given.

The heat transfer capabilities of molten metal (and never forget -- the
heat "capacitor" effect -- that means the reaction can never momentarily
starve for heat -- no matter how endothermic) -- are a given.

The Catalyst  burner is a given -- and a very economic solution -- both in
price and in efficiencies (minimal flue gas heat losses)

I'd have a small one working in no time in my old shop.

You know -- one just has to think of this as an external combustion device.

The fuel is not directly combusted -- but reformed -- to make a product
fuel gas. Part of which is used to fuel the process -- the rest being a
surplus.

This surplus can then be used to operate any IC engine -- high BTU value
gas product -- at optimum performance. And of course -- absolutely no tars
to worry about.

Another plus is the low temperature of the product gas exiting the device
-- 100 C or less.

And also -- at extreme pressure. This serves two purposes. Easy to feed the
IC engine with no problems of fuel starvation during rapid increases in
power demand -- and the ability to store large amounts of fuel in small
tanks. Ergo -- a very good buffer between gasifier and engine demand
conditions.

One can even shut down the gasifier for maintenance and continue running
the IC engine.

Or think of this!

One can gasify their biomasses -- store the product in tanks -- and use
that to operate their vehicle. No more onboard gasifier required!

One can also operate the gasifier for just a few hours per week to make all
the fuel required to run their vehicle for a week!

Peter / Belize

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