Potential to retrofit existing small-scale gasifiers through steam gasification of biomass residues for hydrogen and biofuels production

This work investigates the opportunity of retrofitting existing small-scale gasifiers shifting from combined heat and power (CHP) to hydrogen and biofuels production, using steam and biomass residues (woodchips, vineyard pruning and bark). The experiments were carried out in a batch reactor at 700 degrees C and 800 degrees C and at different steam flow (SF) rates (0.04 g/min and 0.20 g/min). The composition of the producer gas is in the range of 46-70 % H-2, 9-29 % CO, 12-27 % CO2, and 2-6 % CH4. A producer gas specific production factor of approx. 10 NLpg/gc(har) can be achieved when the lower SFs are used, which allows to provide 80 % of the hydrogen concentration required for biomethanation and MeOH synthesis. As for FT synthesis, an optimal H-2/CO ratio of approx. 2 can be achieved. The results of this work provide further evidence towards the feasibility of hydrogen and biofuels generation from residual biomass through steam gasification. (C) 2021 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the retrofitting of existing small-scale gasifiers for hydrogen and biofuels production using steam and biomass residues. Experimental results show the feasibility of producing hydrogen and biofuels from residual biomass through steam gasification, with potential applications in biomethanation and MeOH synthesis.