The Need
The transition to sustainable energy is hindered by the limitations of current hydrogen production methods, which rely heavily on fossil fuels and struggle with efficient, low-emission processing of solid fuels like biomass and coal. Existing chemical looping systems face challenges such as oxygen carrier attrition, ash interactions, and inefficient char conversion, resulting in higher costs, operational complexity, and limited commercial adoption.

The Technology
This technology, developed by OSU engineers, introduces novel design and operational strategies for integrating solid fuels into chemical looping systems. By decoupling gasification and oxidation steps, and employing fixed or moving bed reactor configurations, the system efficiently converts solid fuels into clean energy carriers (e.g., hydrogen or syngas) while capturing CO₂. Key innovations include advanced solid fuel injection, ash management, and reactor integration, enabling robust, scalable, and flexible operation with a wide range of feedstocks.

Commercial Applications
• Hydrogen production from biomass, coal, or waste-derived solid fuels
• Low-carbon syngas generation for chemicals or fuels
• Decarbonization of steelmaking and other heavy industries
• Renewable energy integration and carbon capture solutions

Benefits/Advantages
• Minimizes oxygen carrier attrition and ash-related deactivation, reducing operational costs
• Compatible with diverse solid fuels, including low-value or waste feedstocks
• Flexible reactor configurations allow for integration with existing industrial processes and improved heat management