Sustainable Co-generation of Hydrogen and Biochar from Biomass via a Novel Alkaline Thermal Treatment

PI：Park，Ah-HyungProposal编号：1336567机构：哥伦比亚大学标题：通过一种新的碱性热处理从生物质中可持续地联产氢气和生物炭本项目研究了生物质转化为无COX氢气(H2)与通过一种新型碱性热处理联产生物炭。通常在热解过程中产生的CO和CO2将与碱金属氢氧化物反应形成稳定的金属碳酸盐，从而生成不含碳的气态产品。因此，产生的氢气可以直接用于燃料电池发电，而不需要后续的气体清理/升级步骤。在这项研究中，将研究生物质和氢氧化物的非催化和催化反应，以优化和评估拟议的生物质转化方案的整体可持续性。如果成功，这种生物质转化的变革性方法将为基于碳中性生物能源的可持续能源途径的发展提供重要的垫脚石。基础反应动力学和机理研究将揭示各种生物质原料形成无碳氢流的重要反应途径。这一复杂的固-固反应过程中碳的原位捕获不仅将为这一新型生物质转化技术提供概念验证，而且也将为其他生物质转化技术提供基本的基础。最终，如果成功，这项技术将使传统能源消费者能够参与能源生产的决策过程，甚至成为能源生产者，从而推动可持续能源生产领域的发展。S团队的教育和推广活动包括：促进拟议研究领域的国际研究和教育合作；激励K-12学生，尤其是女学生和少数族裔学生投身于科学和工程领域；为研究生和本科生提供学术研究经验；并使新课程的开发反映出人们对绿色能源和环境问题的日益浓厚的兴趣。

PI: Park, Ah-HyungProposal Number: 1336567Institution: Columbia UniversityTitle: Sustainable Co-generation of Hydrogen and Biochar from Biomass via a Novel Alkaline Thermal TreatmentThis project investigates biomass conversion to COx-free hydrogen (H2) with co-generation of biochar via a novel alkaline thermal treatment. CO and CO2, commonly produced during pyrolysis, will react with the alkali metal hydroxide to form stable metal carbonates leading to gaseous product that is free of carbon. Thus, the produced hydrogen can directly be used in fuel cells for electricity generation without subsequent gas cleanup/upgrade steps. In this study, both non-catalyzed and catalyzed reactions of biomass and hydroxide will be investigated to optimize and evaluate the overall sustainability of the proposed biomass conversion scheme. If successful, this transformative approach to biomass conversion will provide an important stepping stone for the development of a sustainable energy pathway based on carbon-neutral bioenergy.The fundamental reaction kinetic and mechanistic studies will reveal important reaction pathways for forming a carbon-free hydrogen stream from various biomass feedstocks. The findings from this complex solid-solid reaction scheme involving in-situ carbon capture will not only provide the proof-of-concept of this novel biomass conversion technology but also the fundamental basis for other biomass conversion technologies. Ultimately, if successful, this technology will advance the field of sustainable energy generation by allowing the traditional energy consumers to be able to engage in the decision making process in energy production or even become energy producers themselves. The main technological benefits of the proposed biomass-to-H2 scheme include the co-generation of H2 and biochar, significant reduction in carbon emissions with the potential to be carbon-negative, no need for additional gas cleanup steps, and a simplified reactor design.The team?s educational and outreach activities include: to promote the international research and educational collaborations in the proposed research area; to motivate K-12 students, particularly female and minority students, to pursue a career in science and engineering; to provide academic research experience for both graduate and undergraduate students; and to enable the development of a new curriculum reflecting an increasing interest in green energy and environmental issues.