Characteristics and kinetics of in-situ catalytic cracking of biomass tar in a micro dual bed reactor

This research introduces a novel micro dual bed reactor, combining rapid pyrolysis in a top-down with a fluidized bed for biomass tar catalytic cracking assessment. The study initially examines the impact of reactor zones on biomass pyrolysis, followed by an exploration of thermal and catalytic cracking behaviors of in-situ biomass tars using three fluidizing media. It delves into the generation of cracking gas and tar cracking reaction kinetics, based on the evolutionary trends of the gas. The process involves two distinct stages (S1 and S2). In S1, olivine shows the highest tar conversion rates at 650 °C and 750 °C, while char peaks at 850 °C. In S2, char leads in conversion rate and reaction time, with a preference for CO and H2. Tar conversion rates at high temperatures follow the order char > olivine > sand, and reaction times vary as olivine > sand > char. Temperature affects tar cracking rates due to thermal and catalytic effects interplay. This study applies an integral method to solve the kinetics under varying conditions, providing insights into tar behaviors during both thermal and catalytic cracking. These findings support designing and optimizing tar removal units in biomass gasification, potentially reducing tar production and enhancing gas quality.