n a demonstration of the capability of its Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR) process, Virent Energy Systems announced the successful startup of a 10kW power generation system that converts sugars and glycerin directly into hydrogen and natural gas as fuel for a Ford 1.6-liter, four-cylinder combustion engine genset.
This is the first production demonstration of a system of this type, and promises a more energy-efficient mechanism for the direct conversion of bio feedstocks into hydrogen and other fuel gases than current thermoconversion technologies.
The demonstration system, purchased by Madison (Wisconsin) Gas & Electric (MGE), is based on Virent’s patented Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR) process, a carbon-neutral, one-step method for on-demand production of hydrogen, natural gas and/or other fuel gases for distributed power systems from fuel stocks derived from widely available renewable biomass.