Demonstration of a prototype molten salt solar gasification reactor

Brandon J. Hathaway, Jane H. Davidson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

In the present work, a prototype molten salt solar gasification reactor was demonstrated at the 2.2 kW scale using simulated concentrated solar radiation. The molten alkali carbonate salt offers the benefits of improved heat transfer, catalysis of gasification, reduced production of tars, and thermal stability for transient solar input. Utilizing cellulose as feedstock and carbon dioxide as oxidizer, the reactor achieved a solar efficiency of 30% and converted 47% of the carbon in a continuous process at 1218 K. Based on an energy balance on the reactor, we project efficiencies approaching 55% with future improvements to the reactor.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)224-230
Number of pages7
JournalSolar Energy
Volume142
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • Gasification
  • Molten salt
  • Reactor
  • Solar

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