STTR Phase I: High Temperature Solar Thermal Biomass Gasification and Co-reduction of Iron Oxide to Produce Hydrogen

小型企业技术转让研究第一阶段项目将可再生太阳能作为一种新的方式，为生物质气化提供必要的能源，并将发展设计高效太阳能生物质到氢气转化设施所需的科学。这一创新的核心是使用还原的氧化物中间体将太阳能化学存储在固体中，从而在没有阳光的情况下连续产生氢气。实现生物质资源向氢的经济可行转换所需的操作条件将通过深入研究“太阳”和实验室中的热传递、反应速率和速率控制来确定。拟议的项目在太阳能和生物质之间架起了一座桥梁，以克服与传统生物质加工技术相关的许多挑战。太阳能热系统提供的高温允许高转化率和选择性，最大限度地利用宝贵的生物质资源，并扩大其取代传统化石燃料的能力。使用还原的金属氧化物将太阳能的适用性扩展到白天以外的时间。在为未来提供可再生燃料方面，太阳能和生物质的结合使用比单独使用任何一种可再生资源具有更大的潜力。

The Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase I project applies renewable solar thermal energy as a novel way to provide the necessary energy for biomass gasification and will develop the science required to engineer an efficient solar biomass-to-hydrogen conversion facility. Central to this innovation is the use of a reduced oxide intermediate to chemically store solar energy in a solid, allowing continuous hydrogen generation when the sun is not shining. The operating conditions necessary to achieve economically viable conversion of biomass resources to hydrogen will be determined through in-depth study "on-sun" and in the laboratory of heat transfer, reaction rates, and rate controls. The proposed project provides a bridge between solar energy and biomass to surmount many of the challenges associated with conventional biomass processing technologies. The high temperatures available from solar thermal systems allow for high conversion and selectivity, maximizing utility of the valuable biomass resource and extending its ability to replace conventional fossil fuels. Use of a reduced metal oxide stretches the applicability of solar energy beyond the daylight hours. Combined use of solar energy with biomass has a larger potential than either renewable resource alone to provide renewable fuels for the future.