Energy & Fuels, Vol.23, No.7, 3804-3809, 2009
In Situ Catalytic Ceramic Candle Filtration for Tar Reforming and Particulate Abatement in a Fluidized-Bed Biomass Gasifier
Results are reported for the continuous steam gasification of biomass in a fluidized-bed reactor equipped with a catalytic ceramic candle filter in the freeboard. The filter, a silicon carbide based element (DIA-SCHUMALITH) with a mullite outer membrane, was used as a carrier for a MgO-Al2O3-supported Ni catalyst. Tar in the product gas was monitored for gasification runs pet-formed using both catalytic and noncatalytic candle filters over a temperature range of 675-840 degrees C. It was found that the catalytic candles had the effect of raising the gas yield from 1.35 to 1.55 N m(3) per kg of dry biomass and converting 58% of the product tar and 23% of the product methane.