Production of H2 and medium heating value gas via steam gasification of lignins in fixed‐bed reactors

Abstract

AbstractIn this work, steam gasification of Alcell and Kraft lignins were carried out in a fixed‐bed reactor in order to produce H2 and medium heating value gas. The conversion of lignins increased from a low of 64 wt% for Alceil lignin to a high of 88 wt% for Kraft lignin with increasing steam flow rate and temperature. Maximum H2 production of 60.7 mol% was obtained at 800°C and at a steam flow rate of 15 g/h/g of Kraft lignin, whereas maximum heating value of 18000 kl/m3 of the product gas was obtained at 650°C and at 5 g/h/g of Alcell lignin. Also, the performance of a Ni‐based steam reforming catalyst for the production of H2 was studied for both types of lignin in a dual fixed‐bed reaction system. A maximum H2 production of 63 mol% was obtained at a catalyst bed temperature of 750°C and at a catalyst loading of 0.3 g for Alcell lignin. The sulfur present in Kraft lignin had detrimental effect on the catalyst performance.