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Novel Process for the Management and Mitigation of Tar and Oil Byproducts From Solid Waste Gasification

EPA Contract Number: EPD05046
Title: Novel Process for the Management and Mitigation of Tar and Oil Byproducts From Solid Waste Gasification
Investigators: Boardman, Richard D.
Small Business: Emery Energy Company
EPA Contact: Manager, SBIR Program
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2005 through August 31, 2005
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2004)
Research Category: SBIR - Hazardous Waste , Hazardous Waste/Remediation , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Description:

A large variety of solid waste streams are available for conversion to useful energy, including municipal solid waste (MSW), woody byproducts, farm and agriculture byproducts, waste tires, and low-quality fuel sources. All such feedstocks can be converted to useful clean energy using gasification technology. Keeping these materials out of a landfill is both economically and environmentally sound, especially with the increasing costs of landfilling and more stringent solid waste disposal regulations. The gasification of coal and petroleum coke into useful energy can be carried out using “entrained-flow gasification,” a proven technology for efficient and clean conversion into “synthesis gas,” or “syngas.” Entrained-flow gasifiers generally are not suitable for smaller-scale operations, however, or for use with coarse feedstocks (i.e., MSW and biomass). Emery Energy Company is developing and optimizing a gasification process that can accommodate the wide variations in fuel composition and physical characteristics. This technology will destroy the tars and oil byproducts that typically are produced in fixed-bed and fluidized-bed gasifiers while avoiding the higher operating costs associated with slagging gasifiers.

The purpose of this research project is to demonstrate and optimize Emery Energy Company’s key process components for mitigating tar and oil species. A prototype device will be fabricated and tested. Testing will include parametric variation of design and operating conditions. Proof-of-concept and initial performance testing will be conducted. Following successful Phase I results, the technology will be ready to be installed in Emery Energy Company’s larger existing gasifier system(s) for practical demonstration (under Phase II) to support commercialization of the process and commercialization of the company’s gasifier systems.

Supplemental Keywords:

small business, SBIR, municipal solid waste, MSW, gasifier, gas ejector, entrained-flow gasification, waste tires, agricultural byproducts, woody byproducts, tars, oils, stirred-bed gasification process, solid waste gasification, EPA , Scientific Discipline, Waste, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Chemical Engineering, recycling, Environmental Engineering, Municipal, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry and Materials Science, reuse, tires, solid waste, municipal solid waste landfills, energy conversion, agricultural byproducts, clean combustion, mitigating tar and oil, municipal waste

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Novel Process for the Management and Mitigation of Tar and Oil Byproducts From Solid Waste Gasification

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