Hybridization of supercritical water oxidation and gasification processes at pilot plant scale

Abstract

The combination of SCWO with SCWG forms a unique system that has been tested in the present study at pilot plant scale using a single reactor with a flowrate of up to 150 kg/h. SCWO of a highly concentrated ethanol solution takes place in the first section of the tubular reactor, rising temperature. Then, an isopropanol solution is gasified into the second section to prevent any further increments of the temperature and producing hydrogen. The effect of different flowrates, the addition of different oxidant amounts and the preheating temperature of the gasification feed have been evaluated obtaining a gas effluent containing 10.7% H2 and 17.2% CH4 in the best conditions that have could tested, although better results would be obtained if processes could be carried out at more extreme conditions based on literature evidences.