(689b) Drop-in Gasoline From Carbona Wood Gasification, Morphysorb CO2 Removal, and the Tigas Process | AIChE

(689b) Drop-in Gasoline From Carbona Wood Gasification, Morphysorb CO2 Removal, and the Tigas Process

Authors 

Joensen, F., Haldor Topsøe A/S


Drop-In Gasoline from Wood
Gasification, CO2 Removal, and the TIGAS Process

ABSTRACT

Biomass conversion is the only near-term option to replace
petroleum-based motor fuels with renewable alternatives.  One of the pathways
under development is thermochemical gasification followed by conversion of the
resulting synthesis gas to gasoline.  Under U.S. Department of Energy
sponsorship, Haldor Topsoe Inc. (HTI), the Gas Technology Institute (GTI),
Andritz-Carbona, UPM-Kymmene, and ConocoPhillips have teamed up to build and
operate a pilot biorefinery based on this approach.  Woody biomass will be
converted to gasoline blendstock, offering product compatibility with existing
infrastructure. Startup of the 21 bbl/day pilot plant is scheduled for November
2012.

The biorefinery integrates Andritz-Carbona's pressurized,
oxygen-blown bubbling-bed gasifier, which features high thermal efficiency and
low syngas tar contamination.  A cleanup system featuring hot gas filter and
catalytic reformer eliminates particulates and heavy organics while also
converting residual methane to carbon monoxide and hydrogen.  GTI's acid-gas
removal process uses Morphysorb® solvent to remove carbon dioxide
and hydrogen sulfide with high selectivity that minimizes loss of desired
syngas components.  The clean, conditioned syngas is then converted to gasoline
in Haldor Topsoe's TIGAS process, which employs a unique high-conversion
once-through methanol/dimethylether synthesis step. Recycling a portion of the
tail gas from the synthesis back to the gasifier results in an essentially
power-neutral process, resulting in an overall syngas conversion of well over
90 per cent. 

This integrated process is capable of converting any type of
biomass, but the commercial case under consideration is to supply the plant
with woody biomass such as mill wastes, non-merchantable roundwood, whole tree
chips, or other available forestry byproducts.  This strategy will leverage the
resources, facilities, and expertise of the pulp and paper industry to provide
value-added revenue streams while helping meet U.S. transportation fuel needs
with home-grown sustainability.

In this presentation, we will discuss the proposed process
layout of the wood-to-gasoline process, summarize the engineering and
construction status, and present an updated prediction of operating cost for
the early commercial plants.

See more of this Session: Developments In Biobased Alternative Fuels II

See more of this Group/Topical: Sustainable Engineering Forum