Effects of experimental conditions and of addition of natural minerals on syngas production from lignin by oxy-gasification: Comparison of bench- and pilot scale gasification

Gasification of spent lignin pellets was used to obtain a gas suitable for energy production. Spent lignin was obtained from second-generation cellulosic ethanol demo plant using wheat straw as feedstock. Gasification of lignin did not give rise to any feeding problems, thus no significant changes were needed in the existing gasification installation. The rise of temperature and steam flow rate favoured the formation of H-2, while hydrocarbons (CnHm) and tar contents decreased. The increase of equivalent ratio (ER) also decreased hydrocarbons and tar contents, but syngas higher heating value (HHV) was reduced. The use of natural minerals improved lignin gasification. The presence of dolomite led to the highest H-2 and to the lowest CnHm and tar contents. Results obtained at bench-scale were confirmed at pilot-scale, as similar trends were obtained. However, as the residence time in pilot gasifier was higher, greater gas yields with higher H-2 and CH4 concentrations were obtained, while tar contents decreased. After syngas hot cleaning and upgrading, the final syngas composition showed to be suitable for a wide range of applications (e. g. energy production and synthesis of chemicals), since it was substantially enriched in hydrogen, whereas tar and heavier gaseous hydrocarbons were completely destroyed. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.