Influence Of Catalyst On Producer Gas Quality In Fixed Bed Gasifier Using Lignite And Wood Feedstock

Abstract

This paper deals with the experimental investigation of lignite (L) and wood (W) feedstock in a pilot-scale downdraft gasifier. The study aims to check the compatibility of CaMg(CO3)2 [dolomite (D)] catalyst, 5% (W/W), with lignite and wood (L+D, W+D) feedstock as an additive to enhance the performance of a 10 kWe atmospheric pressure downdraft gasifier system. Fuel consumption and gas flow rate were found to be 10.01-11.6 kg h-1 and 26.76-29.57 kg h-1, respectively, for lignite and wood feedstock (with and without catalyst). In lignite, CO and H2 concentrations were increased by 6.81 % and 4.9 %, respectively, whereas in wood, their concentrations were increased by 8.88 % and 5.1 % when the catalyst was employed with feedstock. The producer gas LHV and cold gas efficiency were increased by 6.02% and 5.75% in lignite and 6.97% and 6.61 in wood, whereas specific fuel consumption decreased by 5.92% (in L), 5.17 (in W) with dolomite feedstock. Tar and Total Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations in the producer gas were measured and found to have a noticeable decline with catalytic gasification for both feedstocks. The study concludes that adding dolomite offered better results in terms of higher efficiency and lower tar–PM concentrations.