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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/J005029/1
Title: High Quality Syngas from the Catalytic Gasification of Biomass Wastes
Principal Investigator: Williams, Professor P
Other Investigators:
Dupont, Dr V
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Catal International Ltd ITI Energy
Department: Chemical and Process Engineering
Organisation: University of Leeds
Scheme: Standard Research
Starts: 01 January 2012 Ends: 30 June 2015 Value (£): 389,014
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Bioenergy Catalysis & Applied Catalysis
Reactor Engineering
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
08 Sep 2011 Process Environment & Sustainability Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
The gasification of biomass wastes represents a major thermochemical route to produce a high energy value hydrogen and methane rich syngas from a source which is renewable and CO2-neutral. Coupled with CO2 capture, the process offers a pre-combustion route to carbon capture sequestration for industrial power and electricity production. However, one of the major issues in the gasification process is the production of tar. Tar is a complex mixture of condensable hydrocarbons. The formation of tar causes major process and syngas use problems, including tar blockages, plugging and corrosion in downstream fuel lines, filters, engine nozzles and turbines.

This proposal seeks to develop advanced triple function nano-nickel catalysts for, tar removal, enhanced hydrogen/methane production and CO2 capture and thereby produce high yield, clean, high calorific value syngas from the gasification of biomass/waste. Novel catalysts with homogeneous, well dispersed nano-Ni particles on a high-surface functional structured support, will be produced and examined in relation to the process conditions of gasification of biomass wastes for syngas quality in a continuous operation. The mechanisms of tar reactions, catalyst coke formation and sintering will be developed throughout the programme enabling catalysts to be designed to maximise and predict syngas quality from the process of biomass/waste gasification.

The project benefits from the collaboration of a gasification system manufacturer and a catalysts development company who will aid the scale up of the catalyst preparation and trials in full scale gasification systems.

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Organisation Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk