Understand the requirements to replace existing feedstocks with alternatives (significant near-term impact). Focus on bulk chemicals produced at > 1,000,000 tons/year; initially, producing existing chemicals in existing facilities/equipment; processes with 1 – 2 unit operations different than traditional chemical practices.

Published a report based on a technology review and industry workshop for manufacture of bulk organic chemicals. Six alternative feedstock sources (coal, biomass, petroleum coke, tar sands and oil shale, organic municipal solid waste, and unconventional natural gas, including methane from “stranded” or “remote” sources, coal bed methane and gas hydrates) and five technologies (gasification, fermentation/extraction, pyrolysis, liquefaction, and coking) were reviewed for their potential application in production of chemicals. This study concluded that gasification of coal, petcoke, and biomass and fermentation/extraction of biomass have the highest probability of success, particularly for the near-term purposes. The report Alternative, Renewable and Novel Feedstocks for Producing Chemicals, July, 2007 is now available online (PDF 1.9 MB).

Report on Alternative, Renewable, and Novel Feedstocks. The report indicates that the R&D required to economically scale down gasifier, air separations, and CO2 handling equipment is a priority. The report targets gasification – downstream of gasifier and fermentation and extraction of biomass as priority research areas.

Shell, BP, Rohm & Haas, Praxair, Eastman Chemical, DuPont, GE Global Research, Dow Chemical, Air Products, Virent Energy Systems, WVU, CCR, MTI, AIChE, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, NETL, SRNL, DOE/EERE ITP

Sharon Robinson
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
865-574-6779
robinsonsm@ornl.gov