Project Number: WVA00408
CRIS Number: 0181560
Liquefication of Agricultural Wastes
Investigators: Russell, R. W.
Performing Department: Animal & Veterinary Science -- 1877
Start Date: 04/01/1999
Termination Date: 03/31/2003
Reporting period: 01/01/2001 to 12/31/2001
Progress Report:
We have discovered conditions where water reacts with biomass to form anhydrous, energy-dense, liquid fuels. Product yield on a dry weight basis of the biomass is 140%. The reaction has been run under laboratory conditions making 60 ml to 2000 ml of product per batch. Several 2000 ml batches were combined to get enough fuel to operate a diesel engine. The diesel engine was operated by USDOE personnel at the NETL facility in Morgantown, WV. The engine was operated under a load for an hour, powered by fuel made from poultry litter. The engine test was very successful. A pilot-scale reaction system is being constructed.
Publications: (No publications.)
Impact:
It is expected that farm-scale reactors will be available on a commercial basis within 5 years. These reactors could produce enough fuel from agricultural and forestry waste biomass to replace importation of oil.