Root Engineering for Self-Irrigation that Exploits Soil Depth Dimension for Carbon Sequestration

65455 Gasification technologies convert coal into synthesis gas feed streams that can be used in the production of a wide variety of chemicals. However, the coal-derived synthesis gas contains a myriad of trace contaminants that may poison the catalysts used in the downstream manufacturing processes. Removal of these contaminants is critical for the successful utilization of coal as a feedstock in the synthesis of chemicals. This project will develop a sorbent system that can reduce the concentration of the three major catalyst poisons (arsenic, iron carbonyl and nickel carbonyl) to less than parts-per-billion levels in the coal-derived synthesis gas. Phase I will prepare and test various sorbent formulations that can effectively remove arsenic and metal carbonyls under simulated conditions. An engineering analysis will be performed to identify the feasibility of integrating the sorbent system into an existing coal-to-methanol plant and assess the economics of the application. Commercial Applications And Other Benefits as described by awardee: Conversion of coal-derived synthesis gas into chemical intermediates and transportation fuels is an emerging market. The most immediate need for the sorbent-based contaminant removal system would be in the commercial-scale demonstration of a liquid phase methanol process supported by the Clean Coal Technology program.