Biomass gasification to hydrogen and syngas at low temperature: Novel catalytic system using fluidized-bed reactor

We have developed a novel catalytic process for hydrogen and syngas production from biomass at very low temperature using an excellent catalyst (Rh/CeO2/SiO2) in a continuous-feeding fluidized-bed reactor using cellulose as a model compound. The catalyst simultaneously promoted the reforming and combustion reactions of pyrolyzed products of cellulose, such as tar, char, and so forth, and the water-gas shift reaction. In the presence of a mixture of air and steam, the cellulose completely converted to gas products at 773 K. This work can represent a new and energy efficient approach to the synthesis of hydrogen and syngas from biomass. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA).