The work described in this report has two objectives: first, to evaluate potential catalysts for the commercial practice of the gasification of chars produced by the pyrolysis of municipal or industrial wastes; second, to determine the potential for synthetic fuel production from solid wastes produced in this country, and to explore the feasibility of providing the heat required for the gasification reactions by coupling a chemical reactor to a solar collector. To meet the first objective, a small scale, fixed bed, flow through reactor was assembled, and a number of potential catalysts were tested on chars from a number of sources. The alkali metal carbonates are superior to any of the catalysts for gasification with both steam and carbon dioxide at 650C. With these catalysts, rates of gasification by steam are increased by factors of two to three, and rates of gasification by carbon dioxide, by factors up to ten. The rates are comparable with those observed elsewhere with other carbonaceous materials. To meet the second objective, several possible schemes for coupling a solar collector and a gasification reactor are suggested, and economic analyses of the systems are attempted. It is concluded that a feasible, economically attractive systems is possible.

"EPA-600/2-77-147". Interagency agreement no. EPA-IAG-D5-0646. EPA project officer: Albert J. Klee. References : p. 69-71.