Solar Thermal Project

Overview

CSIRO in collaboration with industry partner Solar Systems Pty Ltd has demonstrated a concept for integrating solar thermal energy and methane gas to produce a range of solar-enriched fuels and synthesis gas (CO and H2) that can be used as a power generation fuel gas, as a metallurgical reducing gas or as chemical feed stock e.g. in methanol production.

A demonstration facility, designed to process 44 kW thermal of natural gas, is being operated by CSIRO. It includes all steps in the concept with key aspects of the process chemistry, reactor design and power generation potential confirmed. This technology produces a gas with up to 40% of its energy value as embodied solar energy. If implemented by industry, the technology has the potential to reduce the industry's greenhouse emissions significantly.

Solar thermal facility. The dish concentrates solar
energy, which in turn enriches gas.

The solar thermal facility is the only one of its kind in Australia and is among only a few in the world that seek to prove the application of solar-thermal technology as an economic option for large-scale energy delivery.

The centerpiece of the facility is a twin-axis tracking paraboloidal solar thermal concentrating dish which was designed and constructed by Solar Systems Pty Ltd.

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Our Research

For this project, we have developed the two main chemical processes involved at laboratory scale and then incorporated them into a high performance large-scale facility. We also collaborated in the design of the solar dish.

The main chemical processes are:

• Reforming of CH₄-containing gases, using concentrated solar energy, to generate a mixture of CO and H₂ (reaction (1)). This gas is suitable without further treatment for use as a fuel, metallurgical reducing gas or a chemical feedstock, e.g. methanol production.
• The option for further conversion of this gas to H₂ and CO₂ (reaction (2)) followed by recovery of CO₂ in a concentrated form, as required for any subsequent CO₂ disposal or utilisation scheme.

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Contact

Mr Wes Stein
Phone: 02 4960 6094
Fax: 02
Email:wes.stein@csiro.au

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