An Approach for Enhancement of In-Gasifier Production of Methane

Gasification-based production of methane ¿ via the utilization of abundant, low-cost, domestic coal ¿ offers one means to address the production of syngas without using natural gas, which has undergone significant price increases. However, gasifiers generally operate under conditions ¿ high temperature, short residence time, and the occurrence of reforming and POx reactions ¿ that tend to limit the partial pressure of methane. This project will develop a fluidized bed gasification technology using a gasification catalyst selected from bound transition metal oxides and transition metal oxide catalysts. Phase I will identify appropriate gasification catalysts and operating conditions for the gasification of coal with enhanced methane production, demonstrate the process at the bench scale, and identify preferred processes for converting the resulting synthesis gas into desired fuel and chemical products. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Stakeholders in this technology will be coal companies, process technology companies, electric and gas utilities, and individual consumers. The increased heating value of syngas via enhanced methane content would be of importance in Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) systems utilizing solid oxide fuel cells