To: Noa
From: Tom
Date: December 29, 2008
RE: Berkshire Energy Laboratory - Weekly Update
Summary
· Bruce Hamilton (MTG blogger) e-mailed me and I’m working with him to set up a phone call.
· Dimitri at NC State replied to my e-mail and would like to do a conference call the week of 1/5/09.
· I combined the gasifier model with earlier fuel cell models and verified that a wood-fired fuel cell is possible. Potential issues with CO2 dilution.
· A residential scale methanol convertor is definitely possible. Will discuss feasibility with Bruce Hamilton.
Methanex – MeOH to Gasoline
· Was able to contact Bruce Hamilton through the domain listed on his e-mails from 02. They forwarded my information and he e-mailed me last week. I’ve requested a phone call with him and am waiting to hear back.
Ionic Liquids
· Dimitris Argyropoulos contacted me last week to set up a conference call for the week of January 5th.
Wood Fired Fuel Cell
· As I mentioned last week, the products of reforming and gasification processes are essentially the same though the proportions of H2, CO, CO2 and Water are different. I combined my gasifier model with some earlier models I had build (water gas shift) to evaluate how large a shift catalyst would be required to bring the CO levels below 1% (maximum allowable for high temperature, PBI based fuel cells). I’m still evaluating results and will combine with a fuel cell model to estimate feasibility. A potential issue is CO2 dilution and resultant heat transfer issues.
Residential Scale MeOH Convertor
· Last week we agreed that before looking into contracting a paper study of a residential scale MeOH convertor we should verify that such a device is even possible. I’ve gone back through some of my earlier research and the answer is that it is definitely possible. The paper study would evaluate the feasibility of making such a device for a reasonable cost.