Biomass is recognized to be the major potential source for energy production. Gasification enables conversion of these materials into combustible gas, mechanical and electrical power, synthetic fuels, and chemicals. In the present study, a model developed by us in our earlier study is used for predicting the steady-state composition and rate of reaction profiles for the reduction zone of the do...

We conduct a benefit-cost analysis of a relicensing agreement for two hydroelectric dams in Michigan. The agreement changed daily conditions from peaking to run-of-river flows. We consider three categories of costs and benefits: producer costs of adapting electricity production to the new time profile of hydroelectric output; benefits of reductions in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions;...

The Burlington, Vermont gasifier is the first commercial scale demonstration of Future Energy Resources SilvaGas biomass gasification process. The gasification plant is the largest operation of its type in the United States. The Burlington plant is coupled to the McNeil station of the Burlington Electric Department and is being used to evaluate and demonstrate the gasification technology both a...

Kinetics-free equilibrium models can predict the exit gas composition, given the solid composition and the equilibrium temperature, but they cannot be used for reactor design Hence, there is a need to develop a combined transport and kinetic model which takes into account of the kinetics of homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical reactions, transport of volatiles produced, heat and mass transfer...

Air-blown gasification of biomass in fluidized bed reactors produces relatively low concentrations of hydrogen. The combination of a catalyst and calcium-based sorbent is being developed to increase the efficiency of converting producer gas from biomass gasification into hydrogen. The conversion process entails reforming the methane and tar, and converting carbon monoxide into hydrogen by the w...

Kinetics-free equilibrium models can predict the exit gas composition of the biomass gasifier, given the solid composition and the equilibrium temperature, but they cannot be used for reactor design. Hence, there is a need to develop a combined transport and kinetic model which takes into account of the kinetics of homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical reactions, transport of volatiles produce...