The gasifier is the main gasification system component. It is a robust pressure vessel where air (or oxygen), water, and a suitable fuel are brought together and heated, stimulating controlled thermal and chemical reactions that yield gaseous process flows made up of synthesis fuel (syngas) products, chiefly carbon monoxide and hydrogen, along with byproducts such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and slag (mineral residues from coal). The syngas stream – and extracted steam flow in combined cycle plants – is used to power turbine/generator sets to produce electricity, while the byproducts may be separated, captured, and stored for reuse or for sale as chemicals.
NETL's Gasification Technologies Program supports Research & Development (R&D) in the area of gasification — a process for the conversion of carbon-based materials (feedstocks) such as coal into synthesis gas (syngas) that can be used to produce clean electrical energy, transportation fuels, and chemicals efficiently and cost-effectively using domestic fuel resources.
Coal gasification offers one of the most versatile and clean ways to convert coal into electricity, hydrogen, and other valuable energy products....Rather than burning coal directly, gasification (a thermo-chemical process) breaks down coal - or virtually any carbon-based feedstock - into its basic chemical constituents. In a modern gasifier, coal is typically exposed to hot steam and carefully controlled amounts of air or oxygen under high temperatures and pressures.
Recently NuVinci bicycle drive-train was awarded Technology Innovation of the Year. What's so special about it? It appears to be ground-breaking, though with design inspiration drawing from no less than Leonardi DaVinci.
I'm afraid the implementation goes over my head a little. The technology relies on transferring power through rotating metal spheres. Somehow by varying the angle of interfacing with the balls it varies the gear ratio. Uhm, okay, yeah, sure, so long as it works I'll be happy.
The web site says right now they're doing this for bicycles but they hope to make the technology for bigger vehicles too.
A biodiesel production and delivery service in Northern California. They sell and deliver fuel, do fleet conversions, and sell related fueling equipment.
Solar Design and Renewable Energy Products - Information, products, and services related to sustainable and renewable building design, solar energy, permaculture, and transportation.
If the key critical issue for battery electric vehicles is the battery, the key critical issue for fuel cell vehicles is hydrogen storage. The quantity of hydrogen stored on board directly relates to the range you can drive the vehicle.
"Scientists at the University of Virginia have discovered a new class of hydrogen storage materials that could make the storage and transportation of energy much more efficient — and affordable — through higher-performing hydrogen fuel cells... Bellave S. Shivaram and Adam B. Phillips, the U.Va. physicists who invented the new materials, will present their finding today at the International Symposium on Materials Issues in a Hydrogen Economy"
One way of storing hydrogen is compressed in a high pressure tank. Even at high pressures like 10,000 psi a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle does not meet the 300 mile range and quick recharge requirements most people seem to believe vehicles should do. Another method for storing hydrogen is, rather than a high pressure tank, is to absorb the hydrogen into the crystal structure of a metal. The technique was, to my knowledge, invented by Energy Conversion Devices and derived from the design of the Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery, which they also invented.
“Most materials today absorb only 7 to 8 percent of hydrogen by weight, and only at cryogenic [extremely low] temperatures. Our materials absorb hydrogen up to 14 percent by weight at room temperature. By absorbing twice as much hydrogen, the new materials could help make the dream of a hydrogen economy come true.”
A New, Safer, and Cheaper Material For Storing Hydrogen: This is a large step that just begs for improvements and competitive thinking. I would say that 14% might be workable from a transport point of view for a storage medium, although every jump that includes a low pressure ambient temperature solution with recovery that is low power and not too terribly complex to be hugely beneficial. Another doubling to near 30% by weight would shift the hydrogen economy drive to hydrogen production as its last tough issue for mass adoption. I expect a race to start soon. A milestone of more than 50% by weight would change the fueling dynamic completely as the need for transport of hydrogen cooled and at high pressure would likely disappear.
Press release from U of Virginia: University of Virginia Scientists Discover Record-Breaking Hydrogen Storage Materials for Use in Fuel Cells
Nov. 9, 2007 — Scientists at the University of Virginia have discovered a new class of hydrogen storage materials that could make the storage and transportation of energy much more efficient — and affordable — through higher-performing hydrogen fuel cells.
Bellave S. Shivaram and Adam B. Phillips, the U.Va. physicists who invented the new materials, will present their finding at 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12, at the International Symposium on Materials Issues in a Hydrogen Economy at the Omni Hotel in Richmond, Va.
“In terms of hydrogen absorption, these materials could prove a world record,” Phillips said. “Most materials today absorb only 7 to 8 percent of hydrogen by weight, and only at cryogenic [extremely low] temperatures. Our materials absorb hydrogen up to 14 percent by weight at room temperature. By absorbing twice as much hydrogen, the new materials could help make the dream of a hydrogen economy come true.”
In the quest for alternative fuels, U.Va.’s new materials potentially could provide a highly affordable solution to energy storage and transportation problems with a wide variety of applications. They absorb a much higher percentage of hydrogen than predecessor materials while exhibiting faster kinetics at room temperature and much lower pressures, and are inexpensive and simple to produce.
“These materials are the next generation in hydrogen fuel storage materials, unlike any others we have seen before,” Shivaram said. “They have passed every litmus test that we have performed, and we believe they have the potential to have a large impact.”
The inventors believe the novel materials will translate to the marketplace and are working with the U.Va. Patent Foundation to patent their discovery.
“The U.Va. Patent Foundation is very excited to be working with a material that one day may be used by millions in everyday life,” said Chris Harris, senior licensing manager for the U.Va. Patent Foundation. “Dr. Phillips and Dr. Shivaram have made an incredible breakthrough in the area of hydrogen absorption.”
Phillips’s and Shivaram’s research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.
About the University of Virginia Patent Foundation
The University of Virginia Patent Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that serves to promote the translation of U.Va. technologies to the global marketplace by evaluating, protecting and licensing intellectual property generated in the course of research at U.Va. The Patent Foundation reviews and evaluates over 150 inventions per year and has generated more than $75 million in licensing revenue since its formation in 1978. For more information about the Patent Foundation, its services or technology transfer, visit www.uvapf.org.
