Air-blown circulating fluidized bed gasifiers are of interest because they produce a good quality, low calorific value (LCV) gas (4–6 MJ/Nm 3 ) and possess a very high carbon conversion efficiency while allowing high capacity, good tolerance to variations in fuel quality, and reliable operation. The high and homogeneously distributed temperatures and the use of particular bed materials, such as dolomite, favor tar cracking. Successful tar cracking can also be achieved using secondary circulating fluidized bed reactors. Also, successful tests on catalytic tar cracking have been performed, for example, by introducing nickel compounds into the gasifier. Sulfur control is made easier because of the significant reduction that can be achieved by adding limestone or dolomite to the gasifier bed. (more…)

Biomass Storage

Biomass storage is required to ensure the continuous operation of the facility. To limit the space required for storage at the plant site, biomass must be stored in relatively high piles. Two main problems associated with fuel storage are decomposition and selfheating. Self-heating increases the rate of decomposition and fire risk, and it encourages the growth of thermophilic fungi whose spores can cause a respiratory condition in humans similar to farmers lung. Some small virgin biomass losses may occur at the storage stage, but they are likely to be negligible. For intermediary storage of the fuel between the pretreatment (e.g., drying and sizing) and gasification stage, storage silos may be used. (more…)

The moisture content of the feedstock affects the gas composition and the energy balance of the process since gasification is an endothermic process. Water vapor, however, is an essential component of gasification reactions. Therefore, there is a trade-off between the extent of fuel drying and the quality of product gas. Drying of the feedstock to a moisture content of approximately 15% is commonly adopted. Fuel drying is likely to be the most energy intensive activity in the biomass gasification process. Important contributions can be made to the energy balance by using flue gases or steam to dry the biomass. The heat used for drying does not have to be high temperature, and a low temperature level is actually desired because it will prevent the evaporation of undesirable organic components. (more…)