Biomass Gasification

The Coleraine lab has installed a biomass gasification unit utilizing wood chips and agricultural products to produce synthetic gas. Our objective is to develop clean, highly efficient and low-cost hydrogen production from biomass gasification processes.

Partner of Gas Technology Institute (GTI)

Hydrogen production created from biomass gasification is being researched under an Excel Energy grant. The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) has developed a novel concept for direct exaction of hydrogen from biomass by incorporating a hydrogen-selective membrane with a gasifier. We are working with GTI in four major areas: membrane material development, membrane module development, membrane process development and membrane gasifier scale-up. Working in conjunction with the Gas Technology Institute, a highly selective membrane will be developed and used to separate hydrogen from a synthesis gas produced from a downdraft gasifier operating on biomass fuel. A fully instrumented downdraft gasifier has been installed. The gasifier will fuel a generator capable of producing 25 kW of elecicity, which can be sold back on the power grid. A slip seam of this gas will be passed over this membrane and the products characterized.