Pilot-scale gasification of woody biomass

The gasification of pine and mixed-hardwood chips has been carried out in a pilot-scale system at a range of gas flow rates. Consuming ∼17–30 kgh−1 of feedstock, the producer gas was composed of ∼200 dm3 m−3 carbon monoxide, 12 dm3 m−3 carbon dioxide, 30 dm3 m−3 methane and 190 dm3 m−3 hydrogen, with an energy content of ∼6 MJ m−3 for both feedstocks. It was found that the efficiency of the system was enhanced at higher flow rates.

► Pilot-scale gasification was performed using woody biomass.
► Differing feedstocks were usedwith differing process conditions.
► Gas composition and energy content were monitored.
► Feedstocks resulted in similar compositional results, with slight differences observed with flowrate.
► Flowrate has a marked influence on efficiency.