Dual bed reactor for the study of catalytic biomass tars conversion

A dual fixed bed laboratory scale set up has been used to compare the activity of a novel Rh/LaCoO3/Al2O3 catalyst to that of dolomite, olivine and Ni/Al2O3, typical catalysts used in fluidized bed biomass gasification, to convert tars produced during biomass devolatilization stage. The experimental apparatus allows the catalyst to be operated under controlled conditions of temperature and with a real gas mixture obtained by the pyrolysis of the biomass carried out in a separate fixed bed reactor operated under a selected and controlled heating up rate.The proposed catalyst exhibits much better performances than conventional catalysts tested. It is able to completely convert tars and also to strongly decrease coke formation due to its good redox properties.