Steam-gasification of biomass with CaO as catalyst for hydrogen-rich syngas production

Biomass is extensively considered as a feed-stock for bio-chemicals and bio-fuels production. Among all options for the utilization of biomass, gasification process is more popular because of its environmental advantages. In this study, biomass gasification with CO2 removal by CaO sorbent was simulated by using a commercial simulator. The model accuracy was validated with reported results from steam only gasification of biomass in presence of CaO. The system was evaluated through tar yield, carbon conversion, gas quality and H-2 yield by varying the reaction temperature, steam flow rate and CaO flow rate. The hydrogen yield enhanced slightly from 187.32 mug to 198.49 ml/g with the increase of CaO/B from 1.0 to 1.5. However, a further enhancement in CaO/B from 1.5 to 2 sharply enhanced the hydrogen yield approximately 1.55 times (from 198.49 ml/g to 308.54 ml/g). (C) 2019 Energy Institute. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.