Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR) Process

Virent Energy Systems, Inc. (Virent) is the only company in the world that can develop the APR technology, a cost competitive, carbon neutral method for on-demand production of hydrogen, alkanes (such as methane and propane) and other high value materials.

This demonstration project, funded by Madison Gas and Electric (MGE), showcases the use of renewable biomass to produce truly carbon neutral hydrogen, propane, methane and other fuel gases for a distributed power system. Virent calls this mixture of hydrogen and alkanes Supernatural™ Gas. Supernatural Gas can be used to feed gas-fired turbines, internal combustion engines or fuel cells for power generation.

The APR process offers:

• Capability to generate multiple fuels and fuel blends tailored to the needs of the power conversion device from renewable biomass-derived feedstocks with the same basic system;
• Significantly lower operating temperatures (250°C v 800°C) enabling easier assimilation into home, office and industrial markets and unmatched energy balances;
• Capability to provide on-demand fuels with low capital equipment requirements;
• Ability to use conventional distribution infrastructure to deliver widely available, low cost feedstocks with little or no safety concerns; and
• Generation of 15 times more hydrogen per gram of catalyst than steam reforming processes.