Gasification of biomass in water/gas-stabilized plasma for syngas production

Abstract

The experimental reactor PLASGAS for plasma pyrolysis and vitrification equipped with the hybrid gas-water stabilized torch was used in the experiments. The plasma torch is characterized by low density, high temperature plasma with very low mass flow rates and high enthalpy. High plasma enthalpy is advantageous for adjustment of higher reaction temperatures with high energy efficiency. Gasification of biomass was experimentally studied using wood as a model substance. The experimental results proved that homogeneous heating of the volume of plasma reactor and proper mixing of plasma with treated material were ensured despite of low plasma mass flow rate and constricted form of plasma jet. The conditions within the reactor ensured complete destruction of tested substance. Syngas with high content of hydrogen and CO was obtained. No presence of complex hydrocarbons or tar was detected, which is very important for possible practical application of the technology.