Why biomass gasification

The carbon monoxide then reacts with water to form carbon dioxide and more hydrogen via a water-gas shift reaction. Adsorbers or special membranes can separate the hydrogen from this gas stream. Note: The above reaction uses glucose as a surrogate for cellulose. Actual biomass has highly variable composition and complexity with cellulose as one major component.

Pyrolysis is the gasification of biomass in the absence of oxygen. In general, biomass does not gasify as easily as coal, and it produces other hydrocarbon compounds in the gas mixture exiting the gasifier; this is especially true when no oxygen is used.

As a result, typically an extra step must be taken to reform these hydrocarbons with a catalyst to yield a clean syngas mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. Then, just as in the gasification process for hydrogen production, a shift reaction step with steam converts the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide.

The characteristics of biomass and subsequent char gasification are further examined in terms of feedstock types and their inherent inorganics. Then, the effects of operation conditions and gasifying reagents on biomass gasification are outlined mainly from the point of char production and the subsequent volatiles—char interaction.

Finally, some directions and suggestions considering char conversion and utilization are addressed for the design and betterment of the biomass gasification process. More by Yuming Zhang. More by Lifeng Wan. More by Juntao Guan. More by Shu Zhang. More by Xin Jin. Cite this: Energy Fuels , 34 , 11 , — Article Views Altmetric -. Inter-Task Projects. Special Projects. Task Gasification of Biomass and Waste. Cookies This site uses cookies to improve your experience. Read more.