RTI International - News Release - 9.22.2008

RTI International to Address Hydrogen Production Challenges from Coal and Coal/Biomass

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -– Scientists at RTI International will address challenges of large-scale hydrogen production from coal and coal/biomass mixtures as part of a contract with the Department of Energy.

Under terms of the two-year, $1.2 million contract, RTI will partner with Süd-Chemie, Inc. to investigate the effects of a select group of contaminants present in synthesis gas, which is derived from gasification of a coal/biomass mixture on catalysts used in subsequent reaction process operations to make hydrogen or other fuels.  Selected contaminants include hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, arsine, hydrogen selenide and mercury.

"Coal-biomass-to-liquid technologies present a great opportunity for the production of transportation fuels from domestic energy sources, thereby reducing our dependence on foreign oil," said Jason Trembly, Ph.D., a research chemical engineer at RTI and the project’s principal investigator. "Our project will identify contaminants that must be removed from coal/biomass-derived synthesis gas for efficient production of liquid transportation fuels."

The ability of hydrogen to fuel transportation, power generation, and industrial processes with only water as a by-product makes it an efficient and clean fuel to meet growing U.S. energy demands while assuring energy security.

The project is part of the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative launched in 2003 as a commitment to a hydrogen economy that minimizes America’s dependence on foreign oil and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This Presidential initiative also provides funding for hydrogen research and development.

The project is one of six new DOE awards focusing on the alternate hydrogen production pathway, with research to be conducted specifically on the production of liquid hydrocarbon fuels from coal/biomass mixtures in the coal-biomass-to-liquid process.

RTI researchers are developing innovative solutions for problems associated with the commercial production and use of clean energy for electric power generation as well as fuels for industry and transportation.  RTI researchers are also working in areas such as advanced gasification, biomass conversion, carbon capture, and gas cleaning technologies.