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Biomass fly ash granules as a promising catalyst to promote producer gas quality from residual forest biomass steam gasification

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  • Gomes, Helena G.M.F.
  • Lopes, Daniela V.
  • Moura, Jéssica M.
  • Ribeiro, João P.
  • Cruz, Nuno C.
  • Matos, Manuel A.A.
  • Tarelho, Luís A.C.

Abstract

In the present study, industrial biomass fly ash (BFA)-based materials were successfully used as in-situ low-cost catalysts during biomass steam gasification in a bench-scale bubbling fluidised bed reactor, aiming to improve producer gas quality. BFA was used in three forms: (i) granulated (GBFA fresh), (ii) granulated and thermally treated (GBFA treated) and (iii) thermally treated in its original powder form (PBFA treated). CaCO3 and SiO2 were the main compounds in the GBFA fresh. Thermal treatment successfully converted CaCO3 to CaO in GBFA treated and PBFA treated samples. All BFA-based catalysts substantially increased the H2 concentration in the producer gas from pine gasification, in the order GBFA treated > PBFA treated > GBFA fresh > reference condition (inert material – granulated alumina). H2 concentration increased from 40.53 %vol.dryand inert (N₂, Ar) freegas in the reference condition up to 54.12 %vol.dryand inert (N₂, Ar) freegas using GBFA treated. The richness in CaO on treated samples enhanced the water gas shift reaction. All catalysts had a major effect on the H2:CO molar ratio (up to 140 % increase with GBFA treated). BFA-based materials also positively impacted the performance parameters, indicating their catalytic activity towards reforming and cracking reactions.

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  • Gomes, Helena G.M.F. & Lopes, Daniela V. & Moura, Jéssica M. & Ribeiro, João P. & Cruz, Nuno C. & Matos, Manuel A.A. & Tarelho, Luís A.C., 2025. "Biomass fly ash granules as a promising catalyst to promote producer gas quality from residual forest biomass steam gasification," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:319:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225005316
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.134889
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