Pressurized Oxygen-Blown Black Liquor Gasification, 1999 Pulping Conference Proceedings

Edward G. Kelleher

Champion International Corp.

Black liquor gasification offers the potential for higher energy efficiency, up to twice the electrical power generation per kilogram of black liquor solids, lower environmental emissions, improved safety, and improved capital effectiveness. If it can be demonstrated on a commercial scale, it would offer a true alternative to the conventional Tomlinson recovery boiler.

Research and pilot studies of black liquor gasification have been underway for more than twenty years. Commercial atmospheric pressure air-blown gasification has been shown to be feasible and pilot scale studies of high pressure oxygen-blown black liquor gasification have been done. High pressure oxygen-blown gasification offers the economic and other incentives to be a true alternative to the recovery boiler. This paper discusses where we are in development of this technology, the challenges that exist in demonstrating the technology, and the potential benefits.