Biomass gasification is a widely used thermochemical process for obtaining products with more value and potential applications than the raw material itself. Cutting-edge, innovative and economical gasification techniques with high efficiencies are a prerequisite for the development of this technology. This paper delivers an assessment on the fundamentals such as feedstock types, the impact of different operating parameters, tar formation and cracking, and modelling approaches for biomass gasification. Furthermore, the authors comparatively discuss various conventional mechanisms for gasification as well as recent advances in biomass gasification. Unique gasifiers along with multi-generation strategies are discussed as a means to promote this technology into alternative applications, which require higher flexibility and greater efficiency. A strategy to improve the feasibility and sustainability of biomass gasification is via technological advancement and the minimization of socio-environmental effects. This paper sheds light on diverse areas of biomass gasification as a potentially sustainable and environmentally friendly technology.

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An overview of advances in biomass gasification

Biomass is an important primary energy source as well as renewable energy source. As the most promising biomass utilization method, gasification/pyrolysis produces not only useful fuel gases, char and chemicals, but also some byproducts like fly ash, NOx, SO2 and tar. Tar in the product gases will condense at low temperature, and lead to clogged or blockage in fuel lines, filters and engines. Moreover, too much tar in product gases will reduce the utilization efficiency of biomass. Therefore, the reduction or decomposition of tar in biomass derived fuel gases is one of the biggest obstacles in its utilization for power generation. In this paper, we review the literatures pertaining to tar reduction or destruction methods during biomass gasification/pyrolysis. On the basis of their characteristics, the current tar reduction or destruction methods can be broadly divided into five main groups: mechanism methods, self-modification, thermal cracking, catalyst cracking and plasma methods.

The reduction and control technology of tar during biomass gasification/pyrolysis: An overview

Biomass gasification presents highly interesting possibilities for expanding the utilization of biomass as power generation using internal combustion engines or turbines. However, the need to reduce the tar in the producer gas is very important. The successful application of producer gas depends not only on the quantity of tar, but also on its properties and compositions, which is associated with the dew-point of tar components. Class 5, 4, and 2 tar become a major cause of condensation which can foul the engines and turbines. Hence, the selectivity of tar treatment method to remove or convert class 5, 4, and 2 tar is a challenge in producer gas utilization. This review was conducted to present the recent studies in tar treatment from biomass gasification. The new technologies with their strengths and the weaknesses in term of tar reduction are discussed.

Frans J.J.G. Janssen

Papers

Catalytic decomposition of biomass tars: use of dolomite and untreated olivine