THERMAL PLASMA GASIFICATION OF BIOMASS FOR FUEL GAS PRODUCTION

Abstract

Thermal plasma offers possibility of decomposition of biomass by pure pyrolysis in the absence of oxygen, or with steichiometric amount of oxygen (gasification) to produce mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The paper analyses energy balance of biomass plasma gasification and presents results of experiments in plasma reactor with water stabilized plasma torch. Heat needed for production of syngas was determined from heats of combustion and thermo-dynamic analysis of all processes in the reactor. Oxygen and carbon dioxide were added in experiments as oxidizing mediums to reduce production of solid carbon from the surplus of carbon in treated biomass. Production of higher hydrocarbons was suppressed due to higher temperatures and high level of UV radiation in the reactor volume. Syngas with high content of hydrogen and carbon monoxide and very low content of carbon dioxide was produced. Very low content of complex hydrocarbons and tar was detected.