A novel low-cost tar removal technology for small-scale biomass gasification to power

Small-scale decentralized biomass gasification could be an effective way to reduce air pollution and improve living quality through electrification in rural areas. Tar removal is a challenge at the small-scale and its high cost limits the application of small-scale gasification-to-power systems. A simple, compact, and low-cost tar removal technology for small-scale application is investigated. Hot raw producer gas is partially oxidized under fuel rich condition in an internal combustion engine. Tars carried by the producer gas are destroyed under high temperature and pressure from compression and partial oxidation. High tar cleanup efficiency with low energy consumption is achieved. Economic analysis of the technology is evaluated on a 20 kWe gasification-to-power system. The capital expenditures (CAPEX) and the operating expenditures (OPEX) reduction are 40% and 17%, respectively. The OPEX can be further reduced. The large cost reduction is mainly attributed to the high tar toleration of the proposed technology.

Automated summary

This study investigates a simple, compact, and low-cost tar removal technology suitable for small-scale applications, which efficiently removes tar from gasification-to-power systems, helping to reduce air pollution and improve living quality.