Woody biomass and RPF gasification using reforming catalyst and calcium oxide

This study focused on steam gasification and reforming of waste biomass using a reforming catalyst. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the durability of a commercial Ni reforming catalyst and the effect of CaO on the reforming behavior, and to clarify detailed factors of catalytic performance, as well as the effect of operating parameters on the characteristics of produced gas composition. Moreover, catalyst regeneration was carried out and the behavior of catalytic activity based on gas composition was investigated. Using a fluidized bed gasifier and a fixed bed reformer, gasification and reforming of waste biomass were carried out. Commercial Ni-based catalyst and calcined limestone (CaO) were applied to the reforming reaction. Temperature of the gasifier and reformer was almost 1023 K. Ratio of steam to carbon in the feedstock [mol mol−1] and equivalence ratio (i.e., ratio of actual to theoretical amount of oxygen) [–] were set at about 2 and 0.3, respectively. The feed rate of the feedstock into the bench-scale gasifier was almost 15 kg h−1. The results of waste biomass gasification confirmed the improvement in H2 composition by the CO2 absorption reaction using the reforming catalyst and CaO. In addition, CaO proved to be especially effective in decreasing the tar concentration in the case of woody biomass gasification. Catalytic activity was maintained by means of catalyst regeneration processing by hydrogen reduction after air oxidation when woody biomass was used as feedstock.

► We focused on steam gasification and catalytic reforming of waste biomass.
► We evaluated the catalyst durability and the effect of CaO on the reforming.
► The results confirmed the improvement in H2 composition using the catalyst and CaO.
► CaO proved to be effective in decreasing the tar concentration using woody biomass.
► Catalytic activity was maintained by catalyst regeneration using woody biomass.