Clean-up treatments for syngas obtained by gasification of coal, lignocellulosic biomass or municipal residues

Abstract

This work provides a brief overview on methodologies for the decontamination of product gas originated from the gasification of coal, lignocellulosic biomass wastes and municipal wastes. Both conventional and emerging decontamination methods are addressed and evaluated in terms of performance and costs. Several gas decontamination strategies were identified and ranged from pre-treatments (adjustment of gasification parameters) to post-treatments (cyclones, filters, scrubbers and catalysts, for instance). A significant effort was devoted to the development of new catalyst and sorbent-based technologies, as well as of new chemical and thermal reactors, which were able to optimise process costs, material lifetime, or the removal of a wide range of gaseous contaminants. Further investigations were recommended to be conducted in gas preparation for fuel cells, plasma converters and co-gasification with new waste mixtures. Therefore, product gas decontamination assumes a relevant role in compliance with legislation, environmental equilibrium and gasification efficiency.