Catalytic gasification characteristics of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin

In this paper, catalytic gasification experiments of three major biomass components (cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin), straw, and pine were performed with dolomite and Na2CO3 as catalysts on a small-scale entrained-flow gasifier. We focused on the differences of catalytic gasification characteristics among three major biomass components. Sodium carbonate and dolomite largely positively promoted hemicellulose gasification, significantly improved the gasification efficiency, calorific value of gas, and carbon conversion, and significantly reduced the tar yield. Sodium carbonate showed the optimal catalytic effect. Dolomite positively catalyzed the gasification of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, straw, and pine. Sodium carbonate significantly catalyzed the gasification of hemicellulose, but it inhibited the gasification of cellulose, lignin, straw, and pine. Sodium carbonate is suitable to catalyze the gasification of biomass with a high content of hemicellulose. The influences of different catalysts on the catalytic gasification characteristics of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin were different. Therefore, the selection of biomass gasification catalyst should be based on the components and properties of biomass.