Novel biomass gasification method with high efficiency: catalytic gasification at low temperature

Abstract

The gasification of biomass (wood powder) has been found to proceed completely by the combination of an excellent catalyst (Rh/CeO₂/SiO₂) with a fluidized bed reactor at 823–973 K. This temperature range is much lower than conventional gasification methods (973–1073 K for catalytic and 1073-1223 K for non-catalytic). The commercial steam reforming catalyst G-91 and dolomite have also been used in this investigation. At 873 K, the carbon conversion on Rh/CeO₂/SiO₂(60), G-91 and dolomite and in the non-catalyzed gasification is 95, 75, 63 and 44%, respectively. Above 873 K, no tar was formed on Rh/CeO₂/SiO₂(60), however, a small amount of char (1–5% C-based) was formed. Therefore, the catalyst activity is quite stable during the reaction. Comparison among the catalysts with respect to the carbon conversion and gas, tar and char formation, shows that this novel catalyst exhibited high efficiency.