Synthesis Gas Production via Biomass Catalytic Gasification with Addition of Biogas

Abstract

Biomass synthesis gas production via co-reforming of biogas and H2-rich syngas produced by biomass air−steam gasification has been investigated in a bubbling bed biomass gasifier with a NiO−MgO catalyst packed in a downstream reactor. The composition of synthesis gas was adjusted by a co-reforming reaction to meet the desired stoichiometric factor. The H2/CO ratio of biomass synthesis gas is above 1.5. It contains trace CH4 and CO2. The feeding rate of biogas depends on the composition and flow velocity of the H2-rich syngas produced in the gasifier. Compared with the commercial nickel-based reforming catalyst Z409R, the NiO−MgO catalyst exhibits better catalytic activity and anti-coke ability at high temperature (>750 °C). Compared with conventional pathways for adjustment of the stoichiometric factor, the method of co-reforming with addition of biogas is simple and highly efficient for nearly complete utilization of the carbon contained in the biomass.