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HydroMax
- Overcoming the Challenges of Industrial Coal Gasification--Diversified
Energy Corporation, 2020 W. Guadalupe Road, Suite 5, Gilbert, AZ 85233; 480-507-0297; www.divtecs.com
Mr. Jerry Stephenson, Principal
Investigator, jerry.stephenson@diversified-energy.com
Mr. Phillip Brown, Business
Official, phillip.brown@diversified-energy.com
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-07ER84665
Amount: $99,974
Natural
gas price volatility is increasing the price of commercial and consumer goods
and is straining the ability of U.S.
industrial companies to be competitive in the global
marketplace. In 2005, the industrial
sector consumed 6.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, more than 30% of all
natural gas consumption in the United States . With natural gas prices ranging from $5 to
nearly $15 over the last 12 months, industrial operations have had to
compensate for this extreme price volatility, which is ultimately passed on to
consumers. While coal gasification
offers a promising solution for this sector, practical issues such as feedstock
flexibility, scale, reliability, capital costs, and efficiency remain a
challenge for industrial applications.
This project will design an industrial-scale gasification system based
on HydroMax technology, which utilizes a unique
chemical pathway to produce syngas (CO + H2)
and hydrogen (H2) in separate reactors, resulting in process and
economic benefits. HydroMax
uses a simpler and smaller two-step molten-metal reactor, a unique sulfur
removal approach, and low pressure operations.
Phase I will perform laboratory tests using coal as a feedstock,
evaluate technical and economic feasibility, and ultimately demonstrate the
viability of HydroMax for industrial applications.
Commercial
Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The HydroMax technology should directly address practical
gasification issues and provide an economical, fuel-price-stabilizing solution
for the industrial sector. Target
markets include paper/paperboard mills, petroleum refineries, petrochemicals,
organic chemicals, plastics and resins, nitrogen fertilizer, glass products,
and iron/steel mills. Preliminary
analysis indicates that a fuel price range of $5.50-$7.50 per MMBtu would be achievable.