Biomass gasification as the first hot step in clean syngas production process - gas quality optimization and primary tar reduction measures in a 100 kW thermal input steam-oxygen blown CFB gasifier

► Gasification of woody and agricultural biomass was extensively tested in a steam-oxygen blown CFB gasifier. ► Stable operation was possible, even with agricultural fuels, provided the agglomeration is counteracted using kaolin. ► Operation with straw caused downstream problems due to KCl deposition. ► Combination of magnesite as bed material and miscanthus as fuel yielded highest hydrogen fraction and lowest amount of tar. ► The kind of olivine used in the experiments did not cause the expected reduction of the tar yield.