Staged reforming is a
thermochemical
Thermochemistry is the study of the heat energy which is associated with chemical reactions and/or phase changes such as melting and boiling. A reaction may release or absorb energy, and a phase change may do the same. Thermochemistry focuses on ...
process to convert organic
material
Material is a substance or mixture of substances that constitutes an object. Materials can be pure or impure, living or non-living matter. Materials can be classified on the basis of their physical and chemical properties, or on their geologi ...
or bio waste such as wood, dung or
hay
Hay is grass, legumes, or other herbaceous plants that have been cut and dried to be stored for use as animal fodder, either for large grazing animals raised as livestock, such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep, or for smaller domesticated ...
into combustible gases containing
methane
Methane ( , ) is a chemical compound with the chemical formula (one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms). It is a group-14 hydride, the simplest alkane, and the main constituent of natural gas. The relative abundance of methane on Eart ...
,
carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide (chemical formula CO) is a colorless, poisonous, odorless, tasteless, flammable gas that is slightly less dense than air. Carbon monoxide consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom connected by a triple bond. It is the simple ...
and
hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with the symbol H and atomic number 1. Hydrogen is the lightest element. At standard conditions hydrogen is a gas of diatomic molecules having the formula . It is colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, an ...
.
Energy and hydrogen from biomass: Staged reforming: The blue tower
/ref> The single-stage reforming of bio materials results in high dust and tar yields in the produced gas restricting its use, hence the use of staged reforming. After reforming the output is approximately 80% fuel gas
Fuel gas is any one of a number of fuels that under ordinary conditions are gaseous. Most fuel gases are composed of hydrocarbons (such as methane or propane), hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or mixtures thereof. Such gases are sources energy that c ...
and 20% cokes.
In staged reforming technology, gas conversion is a separate stage after pyrolysis
The pyrolysis (or devolatilization) process is the thermal decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures, often in an inert atmosphere. It involves a change of chemical composition. The word is coined from the Greek-derived elements ''py ...
.
First stage
Organic material is decomposed into gas and coal at approximately 600°C.
Second stage
Gas produced by the first stage is reformed with water vapor and heat energy from the cokes into a dust and residue-free fuel gas
Fuel gas is any one of a number of fuels that under ordinary conditions are gaseous. Most fuel gases are composed of hydrocarbons (such as methane or propane), hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or mixtures thereof. Such gases are sources energy that c ...
.
Second stage process steps:
* Heating in the pre-heater at 1050°C.
* Cooldown in the reformer by chemical reaction at 750°C
* Further cooling to 550°C by heating the cold cokes by using cold mix
* Re-heating to 1050°C
See also
* Plasma arc waste disposal
*Thermochemical conversion Thermal depolymerization (TDP) is the process of converting a polymer into a monomer or a mixture of monomers, by predominantly thermal means. It may be catalysed or un-catalysed and is distinct from other forms of depolymerisation which may rely o ...
References
{{reflist
External links
Blauer Turm
Biogas technology
Chemical processes
Hydrogen production