Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

There is an increased global awareness and development toward establishing sustainable energy systems based on bioenergy. The bioenergy-based economy seems most suitable to complement the current fossil fuel-based energy systems prior to introduction of the hydrogen economy in the future. This research program proposes a comprehensive approach in which biomass residues, as a renewable energy source, are converted to syngas via gasification and to bio-oil via pyrolysis. These processes will be carried out in supercritical water (SCW), thus improving significantly the energy balance by eliminating the need for drying. Water at high temperatures and high pressures (supercritical conditions; ~374oC and 22.1 MPa) has unique properties, which are different from those of steam or liquid water. SCW behaves like a non-polar organic solvent completely dissolving organics and gases. We are interested in waste biomass because it is simply clean stored solar energy. It is not only a plentiful fuel, but its use also reestablishes the natural carbon cycle. If the harvesting and use of the biomass as a fuel make land available for re-growth, this renewable energy source is nearly CO2 neutral. In the case when biomass is used as a source of syngas (H2/CO), which is proposed here, there is a net reduction in total CO2 amount because CO2 is absorbed during biomass growth while only a portion of this amount is emitted during biomass-to-H2/CO conversion. The project's most important contribution to training of highly qualified personnel is its multidisciplinary nature.