NETL to work with West Virginia University on gasification project

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is collaborating with West Virginia University on a technology to convert fossil fuels in synthetic gas.

This NETL-led team is investigating gasification, a technology that can convert fossil fuels like coal into synthesis gas, or syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Syngas can be used directly as fuel and could become a significant game-changer in the fossil fuel industry.

The NETL-WVU collaboration is seeking to understand how to optimize gasification and syngas production.

NETL is using its open-source, internationally-used Multiphase Flow with Interphase eXchanges (MFiX) computer modeling suite on the project while WVU is providing data from its bench-scale fluidized-bed gasifier, which researchers use to study fluidization and gasification fundamentals.

MFIX is a tool used in the design, analysis, and optimization of novel gasifiers and associated devices. MFiX has been used by NETL to model complex energy systems for many years.

“The collaborative approach of this project where physical and mathematical modelers work as a team has proven quite valuable,” Bill Rogers at NETL said. “Our WVU colleagues are providing critical experimental data that we can use to help validate our models and help to further refine our capabilities to accurately model gasifiers at pilot and industrial scales.”

Collaborations like this allow the lab to ensure that it continues to discover, integrate and mature technology solutions to enhance the nation’s energy foundation and protect the environment for future generations.