Novel oxygen-steam gasification process for high quality gas from biomass

Abstract

We present the design of a novel oxygen-steam-air updraft gasification plant and technological process capable of delivering high quality producer gas. Gas with calorific value of 8 MJ/m3 is cleaned with an absorption type gas purification unit and then coupled with a piston engine for electricity production with 31% efficiency. We present the results of test runs of the installation with various combinations of gasification agents and plasma torch influence on gas quality and tar removal. We have used a classical hot plasma torch for tar cracking, but it creates a problem with proper gas mixing with very high temperature flame requiring special design of the mixing chamber. In the future development we plan to install a cold plasma reactor for more selective heavy tar reforming prior to gas entering purification unit.