Thermal and catalytic gasification of bio-oils in the Jiggle Bed Reactor for syngas production

• Screening tests for bio-oils gasification with the Jiggle Bed Reactor.
• Investigation of optimum operating conditions and catalyst type for syngas production.
• Effect of original source of bio-oil on its conversion and syngas yield.
• Impact of excess steam on molar H2/CO.

The novel designed Jiggle Bed Reactor (JBR) was utilized to investigate thermal and catalytic gasification of bio-oils (without excess steam) with respect to carbon conversion and syngas (H2 + CO) yield. Two commercial nickel based steam reforming catalysts (X and Y) were used. Beside its convenient and economical operation, the JBR was capable to be accurately and promisingly responsive to change in operating conditions. The catalyst X gave better results in terms of carbon conversion of bio-oils and hydrogen yield at 800 °C. Catalytic experiments showed that increasing the temperature decreased the molar H2/CO ratio because of a lack of steam, while it increased the carbon conversion. Therefore, either steam should be added to the gasification reactor or a secondary water gas shift reactor should be used downstream of the gasification reactor to maximize the H2/CO ratio.