Biomass gasification for hydrogen rich gas in a decoupled triple bed gasifier with olivine and NiO/olivine

Bioresour Technol. 2019 Jan:272:241-248. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.10.008. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Abstract

Catalytic steam gasification of biomass has been carried out in decoupled triple bed gasification (DTBG) system which consists of pyrolyzer, reformer and combustor. Olivine and NiO/olivine used as in-situ tar destruction catalyst. The result shows the gasification system with catalytic bed materials allows an option to improve tar removal that enhances H2 production. A gas yield of 1.59 Nm3/kg daf with H2 concentration of 56.1 vol% and tar content as low as 0.6 g/Nm3 has been achieved with the presence of NiO/olivine. Olivine and NiO/olivine reduced tar yield by 55% and 94% respectively compared to quartz. Gas yield, tar removal efficiency and water conversion enhanced by higher reformer temperature. The longer residences time of catalyst in reformer leads in-situ reduction of olivine and NiO/olivine that adds up in-situ tar reforming. Particularly, in-situ reduction of NiO to metallic Ni enhances tar and CH4 reforming reaction.

Keywords: Catalytic tar reforming; Decoupled gasification; NiO/olivine; Redox cycle; Triple bed.

MeSH terms

  • Biomass*
  • Catalysis
  • Gases / chemistry
  • Hydrogen / chemistry*
  • Iron Compounds / chemistry*
  • Magnesium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Silicates / chemistry*
  • Steam

Substances

  • Gases
  • Iron Compounds
  • Magnesium Compounds
  • Silicates
  • Steam
  • Hydrogen
  • olivine