Fluidized Bed Catalytic Reactor/Receiver for Converting Solar Energy to Fuels and Chemicals

Stephanie Kwon

kwon@mines.edu

Gregory Jackson

gsjackso@mines.edu

This work aims to design and demonstrate a novel fluidized bed catalytic reactor/receiver system to drive endothermic steam and dry reforming processes for syn-gas (CO/H₂) production using concentrated solar energies.  This work will provide strategies for catalysts and operating conditions for the efficient utilization of solar energy to drive endothermic chemical processes. In doing so, the project will greatly improve the viability of solar reactor/receivers through the development of narrow-channel, fluidized bed solar reformers. The successful demonstration of the proposed work will directly impact sustainable fuel and chemical production by exploring the efficient conversion of solar energy and biogas into fuels and chemicals, which can become a pathway for long-term solar energy storage. Implementing solar reactors will also significantly reduce CO₂ emissions from current reforming processes by eliminating requirements for fuel combustion to provide heat for endothermic reactions. In doing so, the results of this work will ultimately catalyze decarbonization across industrial sectors by providing scalable H₂ production pathways with low carbon emissions.

Professors Jackson and Kwon have developed a close collaboration over the last few years. The students involved in this project will work with both professors and the research team in both groups, which will allow UG students to learn how to work together as a team to solve engineering problems.

Grand Challenge: Make solar energy economical.

kwon@mines.edu