Fuels Research

SRI International is engaged in wide-ranging research programs dealing with various fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal, petroleum, and shale. These research programs encompass upgrading, pyrolysis, combustion, gasification, catalyst development, NOx reduction, modeling, and even business aspects.

SRI has developed two unique facilicities for testing the pyrolysis and gasification of coals under pressure. In these systems an entrained stream of coal particles is directed inside a quartz tube along the axis of a graphite cylinder inductively heated to 1850 K. The primary products of coal devolatilization are immediately quenched by the relatively cold gas, which does not absorb the radiation. The yields of tars and chars are determined gravimetrically and the gases are analyzed by a battery of on-line instruments. By varying the flow rate of the entrainment gas, we can vary the nominal residence time and thereby the extent of devolatilization from its onset through the release of ultimate, asymptotic yields.

This facility can also be used for testing the pyrolysis of other fuels such as petroleum coke, biomass, and refuse-derived fuels.

In other research on coal and heavy oils, SRI scientists have used their expertise in thermochemistry and kinetics of radical reactions as well as in the design of dispersed catalysts to develop novel process concepts. This research also led to the discovery of a new pathway for hydrogen transfers and radical hydrogen transfer or RHT. Recognition of RHT has been important in understanding the interactive effects of hydrogen pressure and solvents in converting coals to liquid products. Past projects have been sponsored by DOE-PETC, DOE-METC, GRI, EPRI, and commercial clients.

In the area of jet and diesel fuel stability, SRI has conducted research supported by the Naval Research Laboratory and the Wright Air Force Laboratory. These projects have involved detailed characterization of the fuels by SRI's unique field ionization mass spectrometer, as well as an understanding of the various oxidative and acid-base reactions leading to formation of insolubles.

The SRI FIMS and GC-FIMS facilities provide field ionization mass spectrometric analyses to clients from government laboratories, universities, and private industries. In the last 20 years, this facility has established a reputation for providing highly reproducible analyses of complex mixtures. Experience with this facility led to a project for a private client involving analysis of petroleum residues and other heavy oils and numerical modeling of their upgrading by hydropyrolysis or catalytic cracking.

Learn more about this capability by viewing our presentation.

Selected Publications
 

Visit the Laboratory - Chemical and Engineering Processes

Technical Contact:
Ripudaman Malhotra
(650) 859-2805
ripudaman.malhotra@sri.com