Molten Salt Gasification of Carbon Bearing Feedstock to Produce Synthesis Gas or Hydrogen

Western Hydrogen Limited (WHL) is developing a process called Molten Salt Catalyzed Gasification (MSG) that allows the production of high-pressure synthesis gas at ~138 bar (~2000 psig) without the need for compression. This makes the process very efficient since the compression of synthesis gas can require a significant amount of energy. The very high thermal efficiency (i.e. theoretical 86%, expected 61%) of the process results in efficient use of resources and a low per unit cost for the synthesis gas produced.  WHL is currently operating a pilot facility that is capable of producing ~200,000 SCF per day of synthesis gas or hydrogen.

The aggressiveness of the MSG molten salt reaction will decompose any carbon-bearing material (e.g. vacuum residual, glycerol, natural gas, biomass) into a gaseous stream. The reactions can be operated at pressure by simple pressurization of the input water stream and feedstock. The output can be adjusted by changing the operating conditions to generate hydrogen, synthesis gas, or methane. 

The paper will discuss the status of the technology, discuss the general process flow, show the pilot plant facility that is currently in operation, and show data from the pilot plant operation.  The mass – energy balance for the pilot plant operation will also be discussed.  The economics of the process using various feedstock options based on laboratory and pilot plant operation will be presented.