(87b) Production of Hydrogen From Carbon Compounds by Molten Salt Gasification

Western Hydrogen LTD (WHL) is developing a new method for gasification that uses inputs of a carbon bearing compound and water to generate either hydrogen and carbon dioxide or synthesis gas (i.e. hydrogen and carbon monoxide).  The research has been done at the Idaho National Laboratory, a US Department of Energy laboratory, under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement.  The gasification process occurs at a pressure of about 2000 psi and a temperature of about 900 degrees centigrade.  WHL is currently (November 2012) installing a pilot plant near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta that will produce 200 MSCF per day of hydrogen at a pressure of 2000 psi from inputs of refinery residuals and water. 

The WHL technology uses a sodium salt mixture that is continually regenerated from the input carbon containing compound.  The carbon is oxidized using the oxygen from the water input.  The hydrogen is generated from the water when the oxygen and carbon unite and from the reaction of the sodium compounds with the water.  The carbon dioxide exits the system as a separate stream at elevated pressure and is ready for sequestration or to be used in enhanced oil recovery.

This presentation will review the development of the basic technology and provide a review of the operation of the pilot facility.  The information provided will include the data generated at the pilot facility, a mass – energy balance for the pilot facility, and projections for the economics for a proposed commercial demonstration plant.