The effect of char properties on gasification reactivity

In this study, CO2 gasification of raw and acid-washed chars obtained from various types of lignocellulosic biomasses (woody and agricultural waste biomasses) was studied under isothermal conditions (850 degrees C) using thermal gravimetric analysis. The effect of surface area and alkali/earth alkali metals on the reactivity of the chars was investigated. The different kinetic models were used to fit with the reactivity data by using least square. method. The gasification of chars with higher surface area was found to be faster than that of chars having lower surface area. The acid treatment decreased the overall gasification rate for each raw chars. However, although the AI (alkali index) values of chars obtained from agricultural biomasses had equal or higher than that of woody biomass chars, their initial rates were considerably lower. It was concluded that indigenous alkali metals of chars have a remarkable influence of gasification reactivity but an adequate surface area should be provided to react with CO2. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.