Enhanced Hydrogen Production from Indirectly Heated, Gasified Biomass, and Removal of Carbon Gas Emissions Using a Novel Biological Gas Reformer

We propose an enhanced integrated hydrogen production system that includes biological processes. Biomass gasification, achieved through the periodic combustion and pyrolysis of solid organic waste (under anaerobic conditions), results in a "producer-gas" stream consisting predominantly of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. This producer gas is typically used as a fuel in high temperature combustion. In the modified process, the producer gas is used to generate electricity using a combination of high-temperature (Solid oxide) and low-temperature (Proton exchange membrane) fuel cells. Carbon monoxide is reformed to additional H₂ using a biological system; an anaerobic bacterium, Rubrivivax gelatinosus CBS that can enzymatically convert CO and H₂O into CO₂ and H₂. R. gelatinosus CBS can also sequester CO₂ as biomass. While the heating value does not vary significantly between the two streams, we propose that a larger hydrogen fraction can increase the value of this fuel, especially in the context of fuel cell applications.