Biomass Processing and Testing

Southern Research is at the forefront of developing advanced technologies that enable biomass to be processed into high-value fuels. Specifically, our scientists develop, produce, test, and evaluate biomass products for conversion to liquid, solid, or gaseous fuels that can be used in a range of applications.

Advanced Processes and Technologies

• Southern Research has extensive expertise in developing fuels and technology to allow increased use of biomass in existing coal-fired power plants. This effective technology, combined with advances in biomass fuel processing, enables coal-fired power plants to achieve complete transition to fire with 100% biomass. For example, wood, grass, and various agricultural wastes can be transformed into high-heating value fuels.
• We are also currently developing advanced technologies that enable biomass to be processed into higher value products, including transportation fuels and chemicals. The high-pressure, high-temperature, laboratory-scale gasifier at Southern Research is used to gasify various biomass types and develop ultra-pure syngas production technologies that will integrate biomass thermal conversion units with Fischer-Tropsch and other syngas processing systems. The new products created from this process will include synthetic natural gas, liquid transportation fuels, and chemicals.
• In addition, the syngas technologies developed at Southern Research will aid in the production of hydrogen and other gaseous fuels for use in fuel cells. Production of transportation fuels such as ethanol, diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel will become more feasible and economical with increasing use of these technologies.

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