US 3,993,458 AGranted

Method for producing synthetic fuels from solid waste

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration

InventorMichael J. Antal, Jr.

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Abstract

Organic solid wastes represented by the general chemical formula C.sub.X H.sub.Y O.sub.Z are reacted with steam at elevated temperatures to produce H.sub.2 and CO.sub.2. The overall process is represented by the reaction C.sub.X H.sub.Y O.sub.Z + 2(X-Z/2)H.sub.2 O.fwdarw..sup..delta.XCO.sub.2 + [(Y/2) + 2(X-Z/2)] H.sub.2 . (1) reaction (1) is endothermic and requires heat. This heat is supplied by a tower top solar furnace; alternatively, some of the solid wastes can be burned to supply heat for the reaction. The hydrogen produced by reaction (1) can be used as a fuel or a chemical feedstock. Alternatively, methanol can be produced by the commercial process CO.sub.2 + 3H.sub.2 .fwdarw. CH.sub.3 OH + H.sub.2 O . (2) since reaction (1) is endothermic, the system represents a method for storing heat energy from an external source in a chemical fuel produced from solid wastes.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A method of producing gases such as CO.sub.2, CO, CH.sub.4, and H.sub.2 from the pyrolysis and gasification of solid organic waste contained within a reactor comprising:

a. solar heating by means of a solar top furnace to a temperature of 600.degree.-700.degree. C a working fluid selected from the class consisting of steam, CO.sub.2, or a mixture of these gases, said working fluid contained in the lower section of said reactor situate at the focus of the said solar top furnace,
b. mixing at least one catalyst selected from the class consisting of NaHCO.sub.3 and cobalt molybdate with the solid organic waste,
c. injecting under pressure the heated working fluid into a porous reactant bed on which is situate the catalyst-mixed organic waste,
d. pyrolyzing the catalyst-mixed organic waste causing the formation of CO.sub.2, CO, CH.sub.4, and H.sub.2 gases, and a char residue,
e. extracting the gases and char from the reactor, and
f. recovering the said catalyst by soaking the char with water.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 05/563,274Filed 28 Mar 1975
Granted: 23 Nov 1976
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification19 codes

C10J 3/56
Gasification of granular or pulverulent fuels by the Winkler technique, i.e. by fluidisation: apparatus; Plants
C10J 3/54
Gasification of granular or pulverulent flues in suspension: gasification of granular or pulverulent fuels by the Winkler technique, i.e. by…
F24S 23/30
Arrangements for concentrating solar-rays for solar heat collectors: with lenses
F24V 99/00
Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass