Department of Mechanical Engineering

1056 Black Engineering

Converting the chemical energy of solid fuels into power has been within the purview of the mechanical engineering profession since James Watt invented the steam engine. This has traditionally been accomplished by burning the fuel to carbon dioxide and water, capturing the released heat in compressed steam, and driving this working substance through an expansion engine, which produces mechanical power. 

Demands for improved environmental quality will require alternatives to the Rankine cycles that dominate the power industry today. One promising technology is gasification, which converts solid fuel into "syngas" suitable for use with high efficiency gas turbines or fuel cells. The Combustion and Gasification Laboratory explores this emerging technology.

The Combustion and Gasification Laboratory is dedicated to the conversion of biomass into energy, fuels, and commodity chemicals. The laboratory, located in 1056 Black,  houses a 7 kW atmospheric pressure, bubbling fluidized bed gasifier and a 37 kW downdraft combustor. 

The laboratory includes a variety of analytical instrumentation to measure tar, particulate matter, and non-condensable gases associated with gasification.

Continuous emission monitors are used for instantaneous measurement of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide while a micro-GC (gas chromatograph) is used to monitor hydrocarbons found in the gas mixture from the gasifier.

Recent work in this laboratory has focused on improving carbon conversion during gasification, using syngas as a "reburn" fuel to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from coal-fired boilers, and exploring opportunities for generating hydrogen fuel and biopolymers from the syngas via microbial fermentations.

This work is supported by the Iowa Energy Center, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the biomass energy industry.

Students interested in renewable energy who enjoy hands-on research and aren't afraid of adding a little chemistry to their thermal science are encouraged to apply.

The Biomass Energy and Conversion Facility (BECON), owned and operated by the Iowa Energy Center, is available to graduate students for pilot-scale studies in thermochemical conversion of biomass.

This facility, located about six miles from the ISU campus, houses a variety of research and demonstration projects in biomass energy. Among the equipment are a 5 ton per day (900 kW thermal) biomass gasifier and a 10 kg/h fast pyrolysis pilot plant for the production of bio-oils.

The gasification facility specializes in analytical instrumentation for the complete characterization of char, tar, flammable gas, and trace contaminants.

Recent projects include the development of a thermally ballasted gasifier for the production of hydrogen fuel, a moving bed granular filter to remove fine particulate matter from the syngas, and development of techniques for removing sulfur contaminants from the gas stream. 

The fast pyrolysis system is designed to convert solid biomass into liquid fuels instead of gaseous product. This liquid, known as bio-oil, is generated by rapidly heating finely divided biomass in the absence of oxygen. Yields of bio-oil range as high as 70 wt-% of the original biomass. Bio-oil can be used in diesel engines or gas turbines. We are exploring opportunities to use this fuel as part of combined cycle power plants.

Further details on these projects can be found at the Center for Sustainable Environmental Technologies.

For inquires about graduate research opportunities contact:

Dr. Robert C. Brown
Bergles Professor in Thermal Science
Director, Center for Sustainable Environmental Technologies
286 Metals Development Bldg.
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
E-mail: rcbrowniastate.edu