ARTICULOS SELECCIONADOS

Biomass gasification in a catalytic fluidized

reactor with beds of different materials
F. Miccioa, B. Pirioua, b, G. Ruoppoloa, ,
and R. Chironea

a
Istituto di Ricerche sulla Combustione – CNR, P. le Tecchio, 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy

b
Università Federico II – Dip. Ing. Chimica, P.le Tecchio, 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy

Received 22 December 2008; 

revised 31 March 2009; 
accepted 1 April 2009. 
Available online 8 April 2009

Catalytic biomass gasification:

Simultaneous hydrocarbons steam
reforming and CO2 capture in a fluidised
bed reactor
Luca Di Felicea, b, ,
, Claire Coursonb, Nader Janda, Katia Galluccia, Pier Ugo
Foscoloa and Alain Kiennemannb

a
Chemical Engineering Department, University of L’Aquila, 67040 Monteluco di Roio
(AQ), L’Aquila, Italy

b
Laboratoire des Matériaux, Surfaces et Procédés pour la Catalyse, LMSPC, UMR CNRS
7515, ECPM - Université Louis Pasteur, 25 rue Becquerel, 67087 Strasbourg Cedex 2,
France

Received 3 December 2008; 

revised 15 March 2009; 
accepted 22 April 2009. 
Available online 4 May 2009.

CO2 capture by means of dolomite in

hydrogen production from syn gas
, a,
Katia Gallucci , Stefano Stendardoa and Pier Ugo Foscoloa

a
Chemical Engineering Department, University of L’Aquila, Monteluco di Roio 67040
L’Aquila, Italy

Received 15 October 2007; 

revised 13 February 2008; 
accepted 11 March 2008. 
Available online 16 May 2008.

-------------------------------------------

Effects of biomass char structure on its

gasification reactivity
Mohammad Asadullaha, b, Shu Zhanga, b, Zhenhua Mina, b, Piyachat Yimsirib and
Chun-Zhu Lia, b, ,

a
Curtin Centre for Advanced Energy Science and Engineering, Curtin University of
Technology, 1 Turner Avenue, Technology Park, WA 6102, Australia

b
Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia

Received 25 November 2009; 

revised 26 March 2010; 
accepted 13 May 2010. 
Available online 14 June 2010.

Rh-perovskite catalysts for conversion of

tar from biomass pyrolysis
P. Ammendolaa, L. Lisi , a,
, B. Pirioua and G. Ruoppoloa

a
Istituto di Ricerche sulla Combustione, CNR, P.le Tecchio, 80, 80125 Napoli, Italy

Received 4 December 2008; 

revised 24 March 2009; 
accepted 2 April 2009. 
Available online 10 April 2009.

Two stages catalytic pyrolysis of refuse

derived fuel: Production of biofuel via
syncrude
N. Miskolczia, ,
, F. Buyongb, A. Angyala, P.T. Williamsb and L. Barthaa

a
Chemical Engineering and Process Engineering Institute, University of Pannonia,
Veszprém, 10 Egyetem u., 8200, Hungary

b
Energy and Resources Research Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

Received 16 March 2010; 

revised 13 June 2010; 

accepted 24 June 2010. 

Available online 10 July 2010.

Co-processing of pyrolisis bio oils and gas oil for new
generation of bio-fuels:
Hydrodeoxygenation of guaı¨acol and SRGO mixed
feed
Van Ngoc Bui, Guy Toussaint, Dorothe´e Laurenti, Claude Mirodatos, Christophe Geantet *
Institut de Recherches sur la Catalyse et l’Environnement (IRCELYON), UMR5256 CNRS
Universite´ Lyon 1, 2 Av. A. Einstein, F-69626 Villeurbanne, France
Modeling CFB biomass pyrolysis reactors

Manon Van de Veldena, , Jan Baeyensa, ,

and Ioannis Boukisb

a
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham
B15 25T, UK

b
Helector Ltd., Kritis & Gravias 12, Agryroupolis, Athens, Greece

Received 22 July 2006; 

revised 28 July 2007; 

accepted 9 August 2007. 

Available online 18 September 2007.

Abstract

Fluidized bed-fast pyrolysis of biomass is considered as having a high commercial

potential for the thermal treatment of biomass.

This paper mainly presents a model developed further to improvements in the

understanding of the science, and capable of predicting pyrolysis yields that are in
satisfactory agreement with literature data.

The kinetics and endothermicity of biomass pyrolysis are reviewed from extensive TGA
and differential scanning calorimetry experiments. For most biomass species, the reaction
rate constant is >0.5 s−1, corresponding to a fast reaction, so the requirement of a short
reaction time for a high conversion can be met. Lab-scale batch experiments and pilot-scale
CFB experiments show that an oil yield between 60 and 70 wt% can be achieved at an
operating temperature of 510±10 °C, in line with literature data. Pyrolysis fundamentals are
the basis of the developed model, applied to predict the yields of the different products as
functions of process operation variables. The predictions are in fair agreement with our own
conversion experiments and literature data. Finally, all findings are used and are illustrated
in the design strategy of a CFB for the pyrolysis of biomass.

Simulation of biomass gasification in fluidized bed

reactor using ASPEN PLUS
Mehrdokht B. Nikooa and Nader Mahinpeya, b, ,

a
Environmental Systems Engineering, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway,
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4S 0A2

b
Process Systems Engineering, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina,
Saskatchewan, Canada S4S 0A2

Received 10 February 2007; 

revised 19 February 2008; 

accepted 29 February 2008. 

Available online 11 April 2008.

Abstract

A comprehensive process model is developed for biomass gasification in an atmospheric

fluidized bed gasifier using the ASPEN PLUS simulator. The proposed model addresses
both hydrodynamic parameters and reaction kinetic modeling. Governing hydrodynamic
equations for a bubbling bed and kinetic expressions for the char combustion are adopted
from the literature. Four ASPEN PLUS reactor models and external FORTRAN
subroutines for hydrodynamics and kinetics nested in ASPEN PLUS simulate the
gasification process. Different sets of operating conditions for a lab-scale pine gasifier are
used to demonstrate validation of the model.

Temperature increases the production of hydrogen and enhances carbon conversion

efficiency. Equivalence ratio is directly proportional to carbon dioxide production and
carbon conversion efficiency. Increasing steam-to- biomass ratio increases hydrogen and
carbon monoxide production and decreases carbon dioxide and carbon conversion
efficiency. Particle average size in the range of 0.25–0.75 mm does not seem to contribute
significantly to the composition of product gases.

Analysis of transport costs for

energy crops for use in biomass
pyrolysis plant networks
J.G. Rogersa and J.G. Brammer , a,

a
Bioenergy Research Group, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston
University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK

Received 14 March 2008; 

revised 6 May 2009; 

accepted 12 May 2009. 

Available online 10 June 2009.

Abstract

Fast pyrolysis of biomass produces a liquid bio-oil that can be used for electricity
generation. Bio-oil can be stored and transported so it is possible to decouple the pyrolysis
process from the generation process. This allows each process to be separately optimised. It
is necessary to have an understanding of the transport costs involved in order to carry out
techno-economic assessments of combinations of remote pyrolysis plants and generation
plants. Published fixed and variable costs for freight haulage have been used to calculate
the transport cost for trucks running between field stores and a pyrolysis plant. It was found
that the key parameter for estimating these costs was the number of round trips a day a
truck could make rather than the distance covered. This zone costing approach was used to
estimate the transport costs for a range of pyrolysis plants size for willow woodchips and
baled miscanthus. The possibility of saving transport costs by producing bio-oil near to the
field stores and transporting the bio-oil to a central plant was investigated and it was found
that this would only be cost effective for large generation plants.

Failure of the component additivity

rule to predict gas yields of biomass
in flash pyrolysis at 950 °C
, a,
Carole Couhert , Jean-Michel Commandréa and Sylvain Salvadora

a
Ecole des Mines d'Albi – Carmaux, Centre RAPSODEE, UMR 2392-CNRS, Campus
Jarlard, Route de Teillet 81013, Albi CT Cedex 09, France

Received 13 June 2007; 

revised 9 June 2008; 

accepted 18 July 2008. 

Available online 19 September 2008.

Abstract

Ligno-cellulosic biomass from different sources presents variable composition. The main
aim of this work was to develop a method to predict the gas yields after flash pyrolysis (and
tar cracking) at 950 °C in an Entrained Flow Reactor of any biomass from its
composition in the three main components – cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.

For this approach to be successful, three conditions need to be met:

(C1) Pyrolytic behaviour of celluloses from different biomasses is similar, as is hemicellulose and
lignin behaviour.

(C2) There is no interaction between the components.

(C3) Extractives and ashes have no impact on the pyrolysis process.

Two approaches were chosen to investigate the condition C1:

(i) Celluloses, hemicelluloses and lignins of various sources were pyrolysed. Results show that
hemicelluloses and lignins from different sources do not form the same quantities of gases.

(ii) An attempt was made to identify the gas yields of “theoretical components” that are
able to predict flash pyrolytic behaviour of any biomass. Results tend to show that this is
not possible.

The condition C2 is investigated by comparing the gas yields of the components taken
separately and the gas yields of mixes of the components. Two types of mixing were
carried out: simple mixing and intimate mixing. Results show that interactions occur
between the components during flash pyrolysis.

The condition C3 was not investigated here; it can nevertheless be concluded that the
behaviour of a biomass during flash pyrolysis at high temperature cannot be predicted
from its composition in cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.
The effect of air preheating in a
biomass CFB gasifier using ASPEN
Plus simulation
, a,
Wayne Doherty , Anthony Reynoldsa and David Kennedya

a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dublin Institute of Technology, Bolton Street,
Dublin 1, Ireland

Received 3 May 2008; 

revised 9 April 2009; 

accepted 6 May 2009. 

Available online 5 June 2009.

Abstract

In the context of climate change, efficiency and energy security, biomass gasification is
likely to play an important role. Circulating fluidised bed (CFB) technology was selected
for the current study. The objective of this research is to develop a computer model of a
CFB biomass gasifier that can predict gasifier performance under various operating
conditions. An original model was developed using ASPEN Plus. The model is based on
Gibbs free energy minimisation. The restricted equilibrium method was used to calibrate it
against experimental data. This was achieved by specifying the temperature approach for
the gasification reactions. The model predicts syn-gas composition, conversion efficiency
and heating values in good agreement with experimental data. Operating parameters were
varied over a wide range. Parameters such as equivalence ratio (ER), temperature, air
preheating, biomass moisture and steam injection were found to influence syn-gas
composition, heating value, and conversion efficiency. The results indicate an ER and
temperature range over which hydrogen (H 2) and carbon monoxide (CO) are maximised,
which in turn ensures a high heating value and cold gas efficiency (CGE). Gas heating
value was found to decrease with ER. Air preheating increases H 2 and CO production,
which increases gas heating value and CGE. Air preheating is more effective at low ERs. A
critical air temperature exists after which additional preheating has little influence. Steam
has better reactivity than fuel bound moisture. Increasing moisture degrades performance
therefore the input fuel should be pre-dried. Steam injection should be employed if a H 2
rich syn-gas is desired.

The effect of air preheating in a

biomass CFB gasifier using ASPEN
Plus simulation
, a,
Wayne Doherty , Anthony Reynoldsa and David Kennedya

a
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dublin Institute of Technology, Bolton Street,
Dublin 1, Ireland

Received 3 May 2008; 

revised 9 April 2009; 

accepted 6 May 2009. 

Available online 5 June 2009.

Abstract

In the context of climate change, efficiency and energy security, biomass gasification is
likely to play an important role. Circulating fluidised bed (CFB) technology was selected
for the current study. The objective of this research is to develop a computer model of a
CFB biomass gasifier that can predict gasifier performance under various operating
conditions. An original model was developed using ASPEN Plus. The model is based on
Gibbs free energy minimisation. The restricted equilibrium method was used to calibrate it
against experimental data. This was achieved by specifying the temperature approach for
the gasification reactions. The model predicts syn-gas composition, conversion efficiency
and heating values in good agreement with experimental data. Operating parameters were
varied over a wide range. Parameters such as equivalence ratio (ER), temperature, air
preheating, biomass moisture and steam injection were found to influence syn-gas
composition, heating value, and conversion efficiency. The results indicate an ER and
temperature range over which hydrogen (H 2) and carbon monoxide (CO) are maximised,
which in turn ensures a high heating value and cold gas efficiency (CGE). Gas heating
value was found to decrease with ER. Air preheating increases H 2 and CO production,
which increases gas heating value and CGE. Air preheating is more effective at low ERs. A
critical air temperature exists after which additional preheating has little influence. Steam
has better reactivity than fuel bound moisture. Increasing moisture degrades performance
therefore the input fuel should be pre-dried. Steam injection should be employed if a H 2
rich syn-gas is desired.

Hydrogen rich fuel gas production

by gasification of wet biomass
using a CO2 sorbent
, a,
Hu Guoxin and Huang Haoa

a
School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 200240
Shanghai, China

Received 18 December 2007; 

revised 4 February 2009; 

accepted 10 February 2009. 

Available online 5 March 2009.

Abstract

Hydrogen rich fuel gas production by gasification of wet biomass accompanied by CO2
absorption is proposed. The paper addressed this topic, and experiments were conducted to
investigate the effects of the moisture content (M), the molar ratio of Ca(OH)2 to carbon in
the biomass ([Ca]/[C]) and the reactor temperature (T) on hydrogen production and CO2
absorption by CaO. Measurement of the calcium compounds in solid residues was carried
out with XRD and SEM. The results show that directly gasifying of wet biomass not only
favors hydrogen production but also promotes CO2 absorption by CaO. For the experiment
with wet biomass (M = 0.90), the H2 yield is increased by 51.5% while the CO2 content is
decreased by 28.4% than that for experiments with dry biomass (M = 0.09). CaO plays
the dual role of catalyst and sorbent. It is noteworthy that CaO reveals a stronger effect on
the water gas shift reaction than on the steam reforming of methane. The increase of the
reactor temperature contributes to produce more H2, but goes against CO2 absorption by
CaO. XRD spectrum and SEM image of the solid residues further confirmed that high
temperature is unfavorable to CO2 absorption by CaO. For the new method, the optimal
operating temperature is in the 923–973 K range.

A kinetic study of in situ CO2

removal gasification of woody
biomass for hydrogen production
Shinji Fujimotoa, Takahiro Yoshidab, Toshiaki Hanaokaa, Yukihiko Matsumurac, Shi-
Ying Lind, Tomoaki Minowaa, ,
and Yoshiyuki Sasakia

a
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 2-2-2 Hiro-suehiro,
Kure, Hiroshima 737-0197, Japan
b
Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute, 1 Matsu-no-sato, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-
8687, Japan

c
Hiroshima University, 1-4-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan

d
Center for Coal Utilization, Japan, 24 Daikyo-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0015, Japan

Received 13 September 2005; 

revised 23 January 2007; 

accepted 24 January 2007. 

Available online 12 April 2007.

Abstract

Woody biomass was gasified in steam at high temperature and pressure

in the presence of a CO2 sorbent using a batch reactor with capacity;
this process is termed “in situ CO 2 removal gasification.” Gas, tar, and char were obtained
as the products. The evolved CO2 was completely absorbed in the sorbent, and no CO2 was
in gas phase. The product distribution at different reaction temperatures ranging from 473
to 923 K was examined to obtain fundamental information on the biomass degradation
during the gasification. The reaction model proposed by Shafizadih and Chin was applied.
The kinetic constants of the primary and secondary degradations were calculated from the
product distribution.

Use of mobile fast pyrolysis plants

to densify biomass and reduce
biomass handling costs—A
preliminary assessment
 ,
Phillip C. Badger and Peter Fransham

Renewable Oil International® LLC, 3115 Northington Court, Florence, AL 35630, USA

Received 11 June 2003; 

revised 5 May 2004; 

accepted 1 July 2005. 

Available online 4 January 2006.

Abstract

ROI BioOil plants can be made modular and transportable, allowing them to be located
close to the source of biomass and the subsequent transportation of high energy density
BioOil to a central plant. Conversely, one central BioOil plant could supply several energy
users in distributed locations, or several plants could supply numerous end-users, just as in
the petroleum industry.

Renewable Oil International® LLC (ROI) is one of several developers of fast pyrolysis
technology. The production of BioOil can convert raw biomass into a low-viscosity
liquid that, depending on the moisture content of the feedstock, increases the energy density
of biomass by a factor of 6 to 7 times over green wood chips. The increase in energy
density increases the amount of energy that can be hauled by standard tanker trucks versus
a chip trailer van by a factor of two. Capital costs, exclusive of land costs, are comparable
for a 50 MWe biomass handling system at the power plant. Land area requirements for
fuel storage and handling are reduced roughly half for BioOil systems versus solid fuel
handling systems. No analysis was made of operating and maintenance costs.
Numerical modeling of NOx
reduction using pyrolysis products
from biomass -based materials
, a,
Sarma V. Pisupati and Sumeet Bhallaa

a
Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, 110
Hosler Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA

Received 7 August 2006; 

revised 18 July 2007; 

accepted 25 July 2007. 

Available online 6 September 2007.

Abstract

Pyrolysis products of biomass (bio-oils) have been shown to cause a reduction in NO x

emissions when used as reburn fuel in combustion systems. When these bio-oils are
processed with lime, calcium is ion-exchanged and the product is called BioLime™.
BioLime™, when introduced into a combustion chamber, causes oils to pyrolyze and
reduce NOx emissions through reburn mechanisms while simultaneously causing Ca to
react with SO2. Thus NOx and SO2 emissions are reduced at the same time. The
devolatilization rates of two biomass -based materials were studied using TGA and were
related to the yield of pyrolysis gases and char during flash pyrolysis. Numerical
simulations using CHEMKIN to model NO reduction through homogeneous gas phase
reactions were reported. The numerical predictions were then compared to NO x emission
levels from experiments in a down-fired combustor (DFC) to validate the model. A
difference in NO reduction was observed by use of different bio-oils under similar
operating conditions. This is believed to be due to the difference in yield of flash pyrolysis
products of bio-oils. Also, different pyrolysis gases have different NOx reduction potentials.
Knowledge of the relative contribution of pyrolysis gases in NO reduction will help choose
a feedstock of biomass that will aid in increasing the yield of the desired species. A
parametric analysis was done using the model to study the effect of varying concentrations
of hydrocarbons, CO2, CO, and H2, and the results were then verified using a flow reactor.
The analysis showed that hydrocarbons were mainly responsible for causing reduction in
emissions of NO, whereas CO2, CO, and H2 have very little effect on NO reduction.

Steam reforming of toluene as

model compound of biomass
pyrolysis tar for hydrogen
Baofeng Zhaoa, ,
, Xiaodong Zhanga, Lei Chena, Rongbo Qub, Guangfan Menga,
Xiaolu Yia and Li Suna

a
Energy Research Institute of Shandong Academy of Sciences, Jinan 250014, China

b
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Jinan, Jinan 250002, China

Received 10 April 2008; 

revised 19 October 2009; 

accepted 24 October 2009. 

Available online 17 November 2009.

Abstract

Steam reforming of tar during biomass pyrolysis for hydrogen will not only avoid
frequent equipment shutdown for maintenance and repair but also increase hydrogen yield.
In this paper, the effects of temperature and steam/carbon molar ration on steam reforming
of toluene as model compound of tar was studied by simulation of thermodynamic
equilibrium and experiments using Ni/cordierite catalyst in a fixed bed reactor. The results
of thermodynamic simulations indicate that the S/C molar ratio of 2 and the temperature
range from 1023 K to 1173 K provide favorable operating conditions for steam reforming
of toluene in order to get high hydrogen productivity. These operating parameters were
adopted in the experiments using Ni/cordierite catalyst in a fixed bed reactor. H 2 content
remains about 66 mol% and slightly varies with the increasing temperature. Conversion
efficiency of toluene increases with temperature, reaching 94.1% at 1173 K. The simulation
was improved in order to be closer to experimental results. It is found that only a very small
amount of toluene did not participate in the reaction. In the aromatic hydrocarbons of
reactive system, benzene and naphthalene were the main products and the proportion of
naphthalene decreases with increasing temperature while that of benzene increases.

Biomass combustion in fluidized bed

boilers: Potential
problems and remedies
A.A. Khana,⁎, W. de Jonga, P.J. Jansensb, H. Spliethoff c

aDepartment of Process & Energy, Section Energy Technology, Faculty 3ME, Delft University of
Technology, Leeghwaterstraat 44,
NL-2628 CA, Delft, The Netherlands
bDepartment of Process & Energy, Section Separation Technology, Faculty 3ME, Delft University of
Technology, Leeghwaterstraat 44,
NL-2628 CA, Delft, The Netherlands
cTU Munich, Lehrstuhl für Thermische Kraftanlangen, Boltzmannstraße 15, D-85748 Garching,
Germany

ABSTRACT
Due to increasing environmental concerns especially related with the use of fossil
fuels, new solutions to limit the greenhouse gas effect are continuously sought.
Among the available alternative energy sources, including hydro, solar, wind etc. to
mitigate greenhouse emissions, biomass is the only carbon-based sustainable
option. On one hand, the versatile nature of biomass enables it to be utilized in all
parts of the world, and on the other, this diversity makes biomass a complex and
difficult fuel. Especially the high percentages of alkali (potassium) and chlorine,
together with high ash content, in some brands of biomass prove to be a major
source of concern. However, mechanisms leading to corrosion and high dust
emissions problems have been identified and a range of posible solutions is
already available. Among the technologies that can be used for biomass
combustion, fluidized beds are emerging as the best due to their flexibility and high
efficiency. Although agglomeration problems associated with fluidized bed
combustors for certain herbaceous biofuels is still a major issue, however, but
successful and applicable/ implementable solutions have been reported. This
review article presents the major issues concerned with biomass combustion with
special reference to the small scale fluidized bed systems (small to pilot scale).
Problems have been identified, mechanisms explained and solutions have been
indicated. In conclusion, a range of concerns including environmental, economical
and technical associated with biomass exist, but none of these issues represent an
insurmountable obstacle for this sustainable energy source.

Catalytic decomposition of biomass tars with iron oxide

catalysts

Md. Azhar Uddin *, Hiroshi Tsuda, Shengji Wu1, Eiji Sasaoka

Department of Environmental Chemistry and Materials, Okayama University, 3-1-1
Tsushima Naka, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
Received 20 November 2006; received in revised form 22 June 2007; accepted 26 June
2007
Available online 25 July 2007

Abstract
Catalytic gasification of wood (Cedar) biomass was carried out using a specially designed
flow-type double beds micro reactor in a two
step process: temperature programmed non-catalytic steam gasification of biomass was
performed in the first (top) bed at 200–850 _C
followed by catalytic decomposition gasification of volatile matters (including tars) in the
second (bottom) bed at a constant temperature,
mainly 600 _C. Iron oxide catalysts, which transformed to Fe3O4 after use possessed
catalytic activity in biomass tar decomposition.
Above 90% of the volatile matters was gasified by the use of iron oxide catalyst (prepared
from FeCl3 and NH3aq) at SV of
4.5 · 103 h_1. Tar was decomposed over the iron oxide catalysts followed by water gas
shift reaction. Surface area of the iron oxide
seemed to be an important factor for the catalytic tar decomposition. The activity of the iron
oxide catalysts for tar decomposition
seemed stable with cyclic use but the activity of the catalysts for the water gas shift reaction
decreased with repeated use.
Fluidization of biomass particles:Areviewof experimental
multiphase flowaspects
Heping Cui, John R. Grace∗
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of British Columbia, 2360 East Mall, Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Z3
Available online 18 August 2006
Abstract
Biomass is important in energy conversion processes due to their favourable status with respect to greenhouse gas
emissions. However, biomass
particles have unusual properties which make them difficult to fluidize and handle. This paper reviews recent research on
the hydrodynamics
and mixing of biomass particles in fluidized beds. Whereas there has been considerable effort to develop new biomass
gasification, combustion,
pyrolysis and bio-conversion processes, relatively few authors have characterized the relevant flow characteristics of
biomass particles in
fluidized beds or investigated measures that could assist in resolving flow issues. The limited work that has been reported
on biomass fluidization
primarily treats means of achieving fluidization, mixing and segregation. Most of the work has been in low-velocity
fluidized beds, although circulating fluidized beds are also important. Further research is needed to provide general
understanding of interactions among heterogeneous particles and guidance on conditions that can lead to viable and
sustainable processes.

Thermodynamic modeling and analysis of biomass gasification

for hydrogen production in supercritical water
Youjun Lu, Liejin Guo∗, Ximin Zhang, Qiuhui Yan
State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering (SKLMF), Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710049, China
Received 23 February 2006; received in revised form 7 October 2006; accepted 24 November 2006
Abstract
Biomass gasification in supercritical water is a promising technology for hydrogen production by utilizing wet biomass. A
new experimental
system of biomass gasification in supercritical water was built in SKLMF. In this paper, a comprehensive thermodynamic
analysis, including
chemical equilibrium in the reactor, gas–liquid equilibrium in the high-pressure separator, exergy and energy analysis of
the whole system, was
conducted. Chemical equilibrium model is based on minimizing Gibbs free energy. By chemical equilibrium analysis in
the reactor, rules of the
main parametric effects on biomass gasification in supercritical water are obtained. Simultaneously, a high-pressure gas–
liquid equilibrium model
was proposed based on modified universal functional activity coefficient (UNIFAC) model, Soave–Redlich–Kwong
(SRK) equation of state and
modified Huron–Vidal second-order (MHV2) mixing rule. Effects of pressure, temperature and water recycled ratio on
gas–liquid equilibrium in
high-pressure separation were discussed. Finally, results from energy and exergy analysis show that energy and exergy
efficiencies of the whole
system are in excess of 40% and increase with increasing heat transfer efficiencies. Energy loss of the system is caused
mainly by heat transfer and
exergy loss is mainly caused by heat transfer and chemical reaction. Our research provided a thermodynamic tool for
improvement of design and

operation optimization of biomass gasification system in SKLMF, which may be also applicable to other biomass
gasification system.
 A novel biomass air gasification process for
producing
tar-free higher heating value fuel gas
Yan Cao a, Yang Wang b, John T. Riley a, Wei-Ping Pan a,*
a Institute for Combustion Science and Environmental Technology, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101, United
States
b Institute of Coal Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Taiyuan, 030001, Shanxi, People’s Republic of China
Received 1 February 2005; received in revised form 1 October 2005; accepted 1 October 2005

Abstract
Biomass is a promising sustainable energy source. A tar-free fuel gas can be obtained in a properly designed biomass
gasification process. In
the current study, a tar-free biomass gasification process by air was proposed. This concept was demonstrated on a lab-
scale fluidized bed using
sawdust under autothermic conditions. This lab-scale model gasifier combined two individual regions of pyrolysis,
gasification, and combustion
of biomass in one reactor, in which the primary air stream and the biomass feedstock were introduced into the gasifier
from the bottom and the top
of the gasifier respectively to prevent the biomass pyrolysis product from burning out. The biomass was initially
pyrolyzed and the produced char
was partially gasified in the upper reduction region of the reactor, and further, char residue was combusted at the bottom
region of the reactor in an
oxidization atmosphere. An assisting fuel gas and second air were injected into the upper region of the reactor to maintain
elevated temperature.
The tar in the flue gas entered the upper region of the reactor and was decomposed under the elevated temperature and
certain residence time. This
study indicated that under the optimum operating conditions, a fuel gas could be produced with a production rate of about
3.0 Nm3/kg biomass
and heating value of about 5000 kJ/Nm3. The concentration of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane in the fuel gas
produced were 9.27%,
9.25% and 4.21%, respectively. The tar formation could be efficiently controlled below 10 mg/Nm 3. The system carbon
conversion and cold
gasification efficiency reached above 87.1% and 56.9%, respectively. In addition, the investigation of energy balance for
the scale-up of the proposed biomass gasification process showed that the heat loss could be recovered by approximately
23% of total energy input. Thus, partial fuel gas that was produced could be re-circulated and used to meet need of energy
input to maintain the elevated temperature at the upper region of reactor for tar decomposition. It was predicted the
heating value of product fuel gas would be 8000 kJ/Nm3 if the system was scaled up.

Impact of co-firing coal and biomass on flame

characteristics and stability
Gang Lu a, Yong Yan a,*, Steve Cornwell b, Michael Whitehouse b, Gerry Riley b
a Department of Electronics, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NT, UK
b RWE npower plc, Windmill Hill Business Park, Whitehill Way, Swindon SN5 6PB, UK
Received 7 March 2007; received in revised form 26 June 2007; accepted 4 July 2007
Available online 3 August 2007

Abstract
This paper presents the use of vision-based measurement techniques for the on-line monitoring and characterisation of
coal-biomass co-firing flames on an industrial-scale combustion test facility. The characteristic parameters of the flame,
including ignition points, brightness, temperature and oscillation frequency, are measured using a vision-based flame
monitoring system in an on-line continuous mode. A common type of pulverised coal was fired with five different types
of biomass for different proportions ranging from 0% to 20% by weight. Various combustion conditions were created
during the test runs, including variations in excess air and the method of biomass injection. The relationships between the
flame characteristics and the primary combustion process data are analysed. The results suggest that, due to the varying
physical and chemical properties of the biomass fuels, the biomass additions impact on the characteristics of the flame,
particularly the flame ignition points and brightness. However, in all cases studied, the flame stability has been found to
be Little affected by the amount of biomass added provided that the addition is no more than 20%

Biomass direct chemical looping process: Process

simulation
Fanxing Li, Liang Zeng, Liang-Shih Fan *
William G. Lowrie Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA

abstract

Biomass is a clean and renewable energy source. The efficiency for biomass conversion using conventional
fuel conversion techniques, however, is constrained by the relatively low energy density and high
moisture content of biomass. This study presents the biomass direct chemical looping (BDCL) process, an
alternative process, which has the potential to thermochemically convert biomass to hydrogen and/or
electricity with high efficiency. Process simulation and analysis are conducted to illustrate the individual
reactor performance and the overall mass and energy management scheme of the BDCL process. A multistage
model is developed based on ASPEN Plus_ to account for the performance of the moving bed reactors
considering the reaction equilibriums. The optimum operating conditions for the reactors are also
determined. Process simulation utilizing ASPEN Plus_ is then performed based on the reactor performance
data obtained from the multistage model. The simulation results indicate that the BDCL process
is significantly more efficient than conventional biomass conversion processes. Moreover, concentrated
CO2, produced from the BDCL process is readily sequesterable, making the process carbon negative. Several
BDCL configurations are investigated for process optimization purposes. The fates of contaminants
are also examined.

Experimental aspects of biomass fuels in a bubbling

fluidized bed combustor
Francisco Jos´e dos Santos a, Leonardo Goldstein Jr. b,∗
a UNESP – IGCE, 13500-970 Rio Claro, SP, Brazil
b UNICAMP – FEM – DETF, 13083-970 Campinas, SP, Brazil
Received 15 January 2007; received in revised form 9 June 2007; accepted 19 July 2007
Available online 22 July 2007
Abstract
This work presents experimental information relevant to the combustion of biomass in a bubbling fluidized bed. The
biomass distribution in
a fluidized bed was studied through tests performed in a cold bed, while the volatiles released in the biomass pyrolysis, the
burning rate of the
resulting charcoal, and the combustion control regime, were studied through tests performed in a high temperature bed.
Visual examination of photographs taken from a transparent walls bed, with a rectangular cross-section, showed that the
large fuel particles,
typical of biomass processing, were distributed in the bubbles, in the splash zone, and in the emulsion phase. The
occurrence of biomass in the
emulsion phase was favored by burning biomass particles of greater density and smaller size—experimentally determined
in each case. Decreasing
the fuel particle size improved the biomass distribution inside the bed. The same was accomplished by increasing the
superficial gas velocity as
high as possible, compatibly with the acceptable elutriation.
Burning tests showed that the biomass fuels have the advantage of reaching the diffusional regime at temperatures that can
be lower than 1000 K,
which ensures that the biomass fuels burn in a stable regime.

Bench-scale production of liquid fuel from

woody biomass via gasification
Toshiaki Hanaoka ⁎, Yanyong Liu, Kotetsu Matsunaga, Tomohisa Miyazawa,
Satoshi Hirata, Kinya Sakanishi
Biomass Technology Research Center, National Institute of Advanced Industrial
Science and Technology (AIST), Suehiro 2-2-2, Hiro, Kure, Hiroshima 737-0197,
Japan

abstract
The bench-scale production of hydrocarbon liquid fuel was achieved from woody
biomass via gasification.
The daily production capacity of the biomass-to-liquid (BTL) plant used in this study
was 7.8 L of
hydrocarbon liquid from 48 kg of woody biomass (on a dry basis), corresponding to
0.05 barrels. The BTL
process involved the following steps: oxygen-enriched air gasification of the woody
biomass, wet and dry
gas cleaning, gas compression, carbon dioxide removal, and the Fischer–Tropsch
(FT) synthesis reaction. In
the gasification step, oxygen-enriched air gasification was carried out using a
downdraft fixed-bed gasifier.
The content of oxygen, which acts as the gasifying agent, was increased from 21.0
to 56.7 vol%; maximum
values of the conversion to gas on a carbon basis and cold gas efficiency–
approximately 96 C-mol% and 87.8%,
respectively–were obtained at an oxygen content of around 30 vol%. With the
increased oxygen content, the
concentrations of CO, H2, and CO2 increased from 22.8 to 36.5 vol%, from 16.8 to
28.1 vol%, and from 9.8 to
14.8 vol%, respectively, while that of N2 decreased from 48.8 to 16.0 vol%. The
feed gas for the FT synthesis
reaction was obtained by passing the product gas from the gasification step
through a scrubber, carbon
dioxide removal tower, and desulfurization tower; its composition was 30.8 vol%
CO, 25.2 vol% H2, 0.9 vol%
CO2, 2.5 vol% CH4, 40.6 vol%N2, <5 ppb H2S, and <5 ppb COS. The
hydrocarbon fuel was synthesized in a
slurry bed reactor using hexadecane as the solvent and a Co/SiO2 catalyst. For
hydrocarbons with carbon
chain lengths of more than 5 carbon atoms (collectively referred to as C5+) in the
liquid fuel, a selectivity of
87.5% was obtained along with a chain growth probability of 0.84 under the
following conditions: 4 MPa, 280
to 340 °C, and a ratio of catalyst weight to feed gas rate (W/F) of 9.3 g·h/mol.

Calculation of the conditions to get less than 2 g

tar/mn in a fluidized bed biomass gasifier
José Corella ⁎, José M. Toledo, Gregorio Molina
Department of Chemical Engineering (Faculty of Chemistry), University Complutense of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Received 19 January 2006; received in revised form 9 May 2006; accepted 11 May 2006

Abstract
The experimental conditions under which a fluidized bed biomass gasifier can generate a gas with a tar content below 2
g/mn 3 are analyzed by using
and developing the model recently published for those gasifiers by Corella and Sanz [Fuel Process. Techn. 2005, 86,
1021–1053]. The analyzed
experimental conditions were: the equivalence ratio, the partitioning of the air, between the primary and secondary flows,
the location (height) of the
inlet of the secondary air flow, the biomass moisture and the biomass flow rate. Results from the modelling work are
presented for a given CFB
biomass gasifier of commercial size. Some of these results are also being checked in a CFB biomass gasifier at small pilot
plant scale. To obtain a
gasification gas with a very low tar content the two most important experimental conditions are a high value for the
equivalence ratio and a good ingasifier
material which determines the values of the kinetic constants of the reactions involved in the network at the gasifier.

Hydrogen production via biomass gasification—A life

cycle assessment approach
C. Koroneos ∗, A. Dompros, G. Roumbas
Laboratory of Heat Transfer and Environmental Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, P.O. Box 483, 541 24 Thessaloniki,
Greece
Received 17 October 2006; received in revised form 17 January 2007; accepted 11 April 2007
Available online 21 April 2007
Abstract
The use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel is gaining more and more acceptance as the environmental impact of
hydrocarbons becomes more
evident. Hydrogen production is accomplished by steam reforming of natural gas and other fossil primary energy at
approximately 97% of total.
Thus, less than 3% is based on renewable energy sources. This work presents the environmental feasibility and efficiency
of producing hydrogen
from biomass via two processes. Biomass gasification followed by reforming of the syngas is compared to gasification
followed by electricity
generation and electrolysis. The technical and environmental performance of such systems is examined using the life
cycle assessment (LCA)
methodology. The systems under investigation are assumed to be located in an agricultural region of Greece. The
classification of the inventory
data to impact categories was made using the EcoIndicator 95 methodology. Although the gasification-steam reforming-
PSA route is the most
energy efficient the LCA study of the two biomass to hydrogen systems, indicates that the biomass-gasification-
electricity-electrolysis route has a
better environmental performance.
Effect of cellulose, lignin, alkali and alkaline earth
metallic species on biomass pyrolysis and
gasification
Dangzhen Lv, Minghou Xu ⁎, Xiaowei Liu, Zhonghua Zhan, Zhiyuan Li, Hong Yao

abstract

Fundamental pyrolysis/gasification characteristics of natural biomass and acid-washed

biomass without
alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEM) were investigated by a thermogravimetric
analyzer (TGA) and a
fixed-bed reactor. In these experiments, six types of biomass were used and the contents of
cellulose, lignin
and AAEM species in the biomass were measured. It was observed that the characteristic of
biomass
pyrolysis and gasification was dependent on its components and AAEM species on the
basis of TGA
experiments. During biomass pyrolysis, the tar and gas yields increased with the growth of
cellulose content,
but the char yield decreased. There were two reactions indicating two major decomposition
mechanisms.
The first stage of decomposition showed rapid mass decrease due to the volatilization of
cellulose, while the
second stage became slow attributed to the lignin decomposition. The higher the cellulose
content, the faster
the pyrolysis rate. In contrast, the pyrolysis rate of biomass with higher lignin content
became slower. In addition, the rises of cellulose content elevated the peak temperature of
gasification and prolonged the gasification time. Meanwhile, the effect of AAEM species
on gasification behavior was studied by comparing unwashed and acid-washed biomass.
AAEM species increased the peak gasification value, whereas decreased initial gasification
temperature. It revealed that the activity of biomass gasification was attributed to the
interaction between AAEM–cellulose/lignin.

Air–steam gasification of biomass in a fluidised

bed: Process optimisation by
enriched air
Manuel Campoy, Alberto Gómez-Barea ⁎, Fernando B. Vidal, Pedro Ollero
Bioenergy Group, Chemical and Environmental Engineering Department, Escuela Superior
de Ingenieros (University of Seville), Camino de los Descubrimientos s/n. 41092 - Seville,
Spain
Abstract
The effect of oxygen concentration in the gasification agent was studied by enriched–air–
steam biomass
gasification tests in a bubbling fluidised-bed gasification (FBG) plant. The oxygen content
in the enriched airwas
varied from21% (v/v, i.e. air) to 40% (v/v), aiming at simulating FBGwhere enriched air
isproduced bymembranes.
The stoichiometric ratio (ratio of actual to stoichiometric oxygen flow rates) and steam-to-
biomass ratio (ratio of
steam to biomass, dry and ash-free, flow rates) were varied from 0.24 to 0.38 and from 0 to
0.63, respectively.
The tests were conducted under simulated adiabatic and autothermal conditions, to
reproduce the behaviour
of larger industrial FBG. The temperature of the inlet gasification mixture was fixed
consistently at 400 °C for
all tests, a value that can be achieved by energy recovery from the off-gas in large FBG
without tar condensation.
It was shown that the enrichment of air from 21 to 40% v/v made it possible to increase the
gasification efficiency from 54% to 68% and the lower heating value of the gas from 5 to
9.3 MJ/Nm3, while reaching a maximum carbon conversion of 97%. The best conditions
were found at intermediate values of steam-to-biomass ratio, specifically within the range
0.25–0.35. The enriched-air–steam gasification concept explored in this work seems to be
an interesting option for the improvement of standalone direct air–blown FBG because it
considerably improves the process efficiency while maintaining the costs relatively low as
compared to oxygen-steam gasification.

The fate of fuel-nitrogen during gasification of biomass

in a pressurised fluidised bed gasifier
Q-Z. Yu *, C. Brage, G-X. Chen 1, K. Sjo¨stro¨m
Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology/Chemical Technology, KTH – Royal
Institute of Technology, SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
Received 6 December 2005; received in revised form 7 August 2006; accepted 8 August 2006
Available online 8 September 2006
Abstract
The distribution of fuel-nitrogen in gases, tar and char from gasification of biomass in a pressurised
fluidised bed gasifier was investigated.
Four species of biomass: birch, Salix, Miscanthus and Reed canary grass were gasified at 0.4 MPa
and 900 _C. Oxygen-enriched
nitrogen was used as fluidising agent. As a reference, gasification of Daw Mill coal was also carried
out under the same experimental
conditions. The experimental results illustrate that both the nature of the original fuels and the
chemical structure of the nitrogen in
the fuel have influence on the distribution of fuel-nitrogen in gases (NH3, HCN, NO), tar and char
under the employed experimental
conditions. The present work also shows that the types of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds (NHCs)
in the tar from different kinds of
biomass are the same and the major compound is pyridine. However, the distribution of the various
NHCs in the tar from the four species
of biomass varies: the higher the content of fuel-nitrogen, the higher the concentration of two-ring
NHCs in the tar. An effective
method for extracting NHCs from the acidic absorption of the product gas was introduced in the
present work. The method makes
use of solid phase extraction (SPE) by a silica-based C18 tube to extract the NHCs which
subsequently were analysed by gas chromatography
(GC) with flame ionisation detection (FID). The recovery and reproducibility of the SPE technique
for NHCs is discussed.

Performanceanalysisofintegratedbiomassgasification
fuelcell(BGFC)and biomass
gasificationcombinedcycle(BGCC)systems
Jhuma Sadhukhan a, _, YingruZhao b, NilayShah c, NigelPBrandon b a Centre
forProcessIntegration,SchoolofChemicalEngineering&AnalyticalScience,TheUniversityof
Manchester,P.O.Box88,ManchesterM601QD,UK b Department
ofEarthScienceandEngineering,ImperialCollegeLondon,SouthKensingtonCampus,LondonS
W72AZ,UK c Centre
forProcessSystemsEngineering,ImperialCollegeLondon,SouthKensingtonCampus,LondonS
W72AZ,UK

abstract
Biomassgasificationprocessesaremorecommonlyintegratedtogasturbinebasedcombinedheatand
power (CHP)generationsystems.However,efficiencycanbegreatlyenhancedbytheuseofmore
advancedpowergenerationtechnologysuchassolidoxidefuelcells(SOFC).Thekeyobjectiveofthis work
istodevelopsystematicsite-wideprocessintegrationstrategies,basedondetailedprocess
simulationinAspenPlus,inviewtoimproveheatrecoveryincludingwasteheat,energyefficiencyand
cleaneroperation,ofbiomassgasificationfuelcell(BGFC)systems.TheBGFCsystemconsiders
integrationoftheexhaustgasasasourceofsteamandunreactedfuelfromtheSOFCtothesteam
gasifier,utilisingbiomassvolatilisedgasesandtars,whichisseparatelycarriedoutfromthe
combustionoftheremainingcharofthebiomassinthepresenceofdepletedairfromtheSOFC.The high
gradeprocessheatisutilisedintodirectheatingoftheprocessstreams,e.g.heatingofthesyngas feed
totheSOFCaftercooling,condensationandultra-cleaningwiththeRectisols process, usingthe hot
productgasfromthesteamgasifierandheatingofairtotheSOFCusingexhaustgasfromthechar
combustor.Themediumtolowgradeprocessheatisextractedintoexcesssteamandhotwater
generationfromtheBGFCsite.Thisstudypresentsacomprehensivecomparisonofenergeticand
emissionperformancesbetweenBGFCandbiomassgasificationcombinedcycle(BGCC)systems,based
on a4thgenerationbiomasswasteresource,straws.Theformerintegratedsystemprovidesasmuchas twice
thepower,thanthelatter.Furthermore,theperformanceoftheintegratedBGFCsystemis
thoroughlyanalysedforarangeofpowergenerations, _100–997kW.Increasingpowergeneration from
aBGFCsystemdecreasesitspowergenerationefficiency(69–63%),whileincreasingCHP
generationefficiency(80–85%).
Efficiency evaluationofdry hydrogen production from
biomass gasification A.
Abuadala,I.Dincer∗ Faculty
ofEngineeringandAppliedScience,UniversityofOntarioInstituteofTechnology(UOIT),2000SimcoeSt
reetNorth,Oshawa,ONL1H7K4,Canada

abstract
Thehydrogenproductionfrombiomassgasificationneedstobeimprovedthroughinvestigationoft
he operating
parametersandthermodynamicefficiencies(energyandexergy).Acomprehensivestudyis
conducted topredictH2 production
withagasifierusingaquantityof14.5kg/sfrombiomass(wood sawdust)
andanamountof6.3kg/sofsteamat500Kandevaluatesystemperformancethroughenergy and
exergyefficienciesforhydrogenproductionfrombiomass.Thegasificationprocesstakesplacein
a temperaturerangeof950–1500Kandsteam–biomassratioof0.17–
0.51.Theresultsindicatethatan improvement
inexergyefficiencyfrom33to37%ispossibleduringhydrogenproductiononly.Itbecomes more
sensitiveifthetemperaturegoesbeyond1000K.Inthisregard,theexergyefficiencyincreasesfrom
42 to47%whenalloftheproductgasesaretakeninconsiderationandfrom47to52%whenallofthe
products
fromthegasificationprocessaretakeninconsideration.Overarangeofgasifiertemperatures, the
gasificationratiois97–105gH2/kg ofbiomasswhilehydrogenyieldreaches1.5kg/sforthestudied
biomass.

Experimental investigation on biomass co-firing

in a 300 MW pulverized coal-fired utility furnace
in China
Xuebin Wang a, Houzhang Tan a,b,*, Yanqing Niu a,
Mohamed Pourkashanian b, Lin Mab, Erqiang Chen a, Yang Liu a,
Zhengning Liu a, Tongmo Xu a
a State Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow in Power Engineering, School of Energy and Power
Engineering,
Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
b Energy and Resources Research Institute, School of Process, Environmental and Materials
Engineering/
Centre for Computational Fluid Dynamics, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK

Abstract
Mold biomass pellets have been utilized on a 300 MWpulverized coal-fired furnace in China for the
first
time. Biomass was ground using the existing mill system, and without using any additional
equipment. The
maximum ratio of the biomass used in the experiments is 16.1% by energy input. The feasibility of
grinding
biomass and the safety of mill operation have been analyzed. In addition, the effects of co-firing
biomass on
the flame, temperature, pollutant emission, and unburned carbon in ash have been investigated.
Also the
characteristics of fly ash and its utilization in the concrete have been tested. The results show that
existing
roller mills and direct-blowing pulverizing systems can be used to grind mold biomass and to
transport pulverized
biomass within the limit in the flow rate of the biomass that can be processed. During the processes
of biomass co-firing, the flame on the biomass injector is stable, but the outlet temperature of the
furnace
decreases, and the unburned carbon in the fly ash increases, when compared with the condition
when firing
coal only. NOx emission decreases with an increase in the biomass input. When the rate of biomass
feed
reaches 24 t/h in the test, the NOx emission is reduced by about 10%, but there is only a small
reduction
in the SO2 emission. Investigations on the characteristics of the fly ash shows that the content of
potassium
and chlorine in the ash increases with an increase in the biomass feed, but co-firing biomass does
not affect
the quality of the fly ash to be used in the cement industry. The results presented in this paper can
provide
guidance for direct biomass co-firing in existing high-capacity pulverized coal-fired furnaces in
China.