Synthesis gas agreement

and

(PWR) have entered into an agreement to develop and test next-generation technology that will convert coal, coke or biomass into synthesis gas.

The gasification technology could facilitate the use of carbon capture and storage to address environmental concerns of power generation. The agreement will see the two companies working together to develop a gasification-reactor system that will reportedly reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Rich Pisarczyk, president of ExxonMobil, said: ‘Turning coal and similar energy sources into synthesis gas would allow these sources to be converted into a range of products, including chemicals, transportation fuels and power plant feedstock. Gasification also helps enable the adoption of carbon capture and storage and therefore reduces emissions from the use of coal and other heavy feedstocks.’

The collaboration will benefit from ExxonMobil’s technology leadership in the energy sector and PWR’s rocket-engine expertise. The new technology is expected to make use of uniform feed distribution, high temperature combustion and rapid heat removal.

Work has commenced on the initial stages of testing, with trial runs of pilot plants at the Gas Technologies Institute in Des Plaines, Illinois, and the Energy and Environmental Research Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota.