Abstract

PENA, Lina García et al. Catalytic and autothermal gasification of biomass waste at bench scale: construction and optimization. Rev. ion [online]. 2022, vol.35, n.2, pp.83-99.  Epub Apr 25, 2023. ISSN 0120-100X.  https://doi.org/10.18273/revion.v35n2-2022007.

In this work, a bench scale gasification system for biomass waste (pine sawdust) was built. It is composed of hopper and screw feeding system, fluidized bed autothermal reactor and gas conditioning system (cyclone and gas cooling). Low-cost catalysts were evaluated in the reactor: a natural mineral (dolomite) and a solid pyrolysis residue, compared to an inert (sand). Catalysts and biomass waste were characterized by different techniques: ICP, BET, TGA, elemental analysis (CHONS), among others. The optimization process studied different condition: biomass particle size, feed rate, gasifying agents and temperature profiles. Optimal performance was achieved with particle size range between 0.50 - 0.85 mm, feed rate of 0,840 kg/h and equivalent ratio gasifying gas (air and/or steam) to biomass of 0.35 - 0.45 with equilibrium temperatures of 650 and 750 °C, respectively. As expected, higher tar reduction and better values of H2:CO and LHV were obtained with the use of catalysts, reaching tar reduction between 10 - 45 %. Experimental results show that our bench scale autothermic gasification system adds value to biomass waste with low-cost catalysts, making it environmentally and economically attractive.

Keywords : Gasification; Catalysis; Tar; Biomass; Syngas.

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