Process for supercritical catalytic gasification of wet biomass

摘要

A method for catalytically decomposing organic matter in a reaction medium is presented. Virtually complete gasification is achieved in relatively short periods of time. A hydrogen-rich gas may be formed from feedstocks (12) that include wet biomass, such as water hyacinth or algae, or organic waste or mixtures of biomass and organic waste. The reaction is catalyzed by a carbon-containing catalyst (22). The reaction medium may include supercritical water and is substantially oxygen-free. The carbon-containing catalyst (22) is stable in the environment of a supercritical water medium and maintains activity over long periods of time. Suitable carbon-containing catalysts are activated carbons or charcoals. Reaction products (26) are substantialy free of tars or chars.