Southern Research scientists and engineers develop, test, and evaluate the commercial viability of feedstock processing and feeder systems for feeding biomass and mixtures of coal and biomass to conversion process units at pressures up to 500 Psig. These feedstock processing and feed systems are evaluated for use in commercial-scale biorefineries; additionally, evaluation is performed for the co-feeding of coal and biomass in future integrated coal-biomass gasification combine cycle (IBCGCC) power plants and coal-biomass-to-liquid (CBTL) plants. Southern Research currently evaluates and operates low-pressure feed systems for applications in biorefineries for commercial clients; we also evaluate and operate high-pressure feed systems for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

A primary focus of our work in this area is to develop feedstock system technologies that allow the use of various biomass (e.g., woody biomass, corn cobs, grasses, etc.) and coal types (bituminous, sub-bituminous, and lignite) without the need for system modifications due to changing the feedstock type in response to the changes in market demand and prices. Biomass co-feeding at large-scale coal gasification plants can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and lead to the expanding use of biomass for production of gaseous and liquid fuels, chemicals, and electric power.