Tar removal from biomass pyrolysis gas in two-step function of decomposition and adsorption

Tar content in syngas pyrolysis is a serious problem for fuel gas utilization in downstream applications. This paper investigated tar removal, by the two-step function of decomposition and adsorption, from the pyrolysis gas. The temperature of the tar decomposition process was fixed at 800 °C both with and without steam, with air as the reforming agent. Both steam and air had a strong influence on the tar decomposition reaction. The reduction of the gravimetric tar mass was 78% in the case of the thermal cracking, whereas, it was in the range of 77–92% in the case of the steam and air forming. Under conditions of tar decomposition, the gravimetric tar mass reduced, while the yield of the combustible gaseous components in the syngas increased. Synchronously, the amount of light tars increased. This should be eliminated later by fixed-bed adsorption. Three adsorbents (activated carbon, wood chip, and synthetic porous cordierite) were selected to evaluate the adsorption performance of light tars, especially of condensable tar. Activated carbon showed the best adsorption performance among all light tars, in view of the adsorption capacity and breakthrough time. On the other hand, activated carbon decreased the efficiency of the system due to its high adsorption performance with non-condensable tar, which is a combustible substance in syngas. Synthetic porous cordierite showed very low adsorption performance with almost all light tars, whereas, wood chip showed a high adsorption performance with condensable tar and low adsorption performance with non-condensable tar. When compared with other adsorbents, wood chip showed a prominent adsorption selectivity that was suitable for practical use, by minimizing the condensable tar without decreasing the efficiency of the system.