Bubbling Fluidized Bed Gasification of Biomass: A Review on the Effect of Selected Operational Parameters

Abstract

Fluidized bed gasification is a promising technology to convert biomass to useful syngas, offering several distinct advantages. The performance of the fluidized bed gasifier (FBG) is affected by various operating parameters like fuel type, temperature, equivalence ratio, gasification agent, steam-biomass ratio, bed material, and the catalyst used. Steam gasification of biomass in a fluidized bed gasifier is an effective and efficient technique that offers a high yield of H2 in the range of 30-60 vol%. However, the challenges associated with biomass gasification and commercial propagation of the technology are critically important issues. This paper reviews the bubbling fluidized bed gasification of biomass in several aspects, including parametric influence, biomass to H2 process mechanism, catalytic tar conversion, and the challenges and prospectus of the technology.