Energy & Environmental Technology - Bioenergy & Gasification
Thermochemical Production of Liquid Fuels
WRI`s thermochemical processes for converting feedstock to liquid fuel are related to Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis and offer significant gains in efficiency over other conversion methods. WRI’s proprietary process converts carbonaceous feedstock to synthesis gas, which is then converted to ethanol and other higher alcohols using a proprietary WRI catalyst. Catalysts used in the thermochemical process are tested in our bench-scale fuel synthesis facility. Solid feedstocks are converted to synthesis gas in gasifiers; liquid or gaseous feedstocks are converted in reformers or partial oxidation reactors. After purification, the resulting product is the same as conventional ethanol. WRI’s thermochemical processes can be used to produce ethanol from natural gas (GTL), coal (CTL) or biomass (BTL or cellulosic ethanol).
