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Effects of residence time, temperature, and pressure on the steam gasification of biomass

Journal Article · · ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States)

Considering biomass gasification as a three-step phenomenon comprising (1) pyrolysis, (2) secondary reactions in the gas phase, and (3) char gasification, researchers focused on the second step to determine the effects of temperature and residence time on product-gas formation, using the volatiles produced by cellulose pyrolysis. They also studied the effects of pressure on the heat of pyrolysis of cellulose. In the gas phase, steam-cracking reactions dominate the chemistry of biomass gasification. At temperatures above 1200/sup 0/F, these reactions proceed very rapidly and generate a hydrocarbon-rich gas containing commercial amounts of ethylene, propylene, and methane. Increased pressure appears to inhibit the gasification process. Transport reactors - characterized by large throughputs, high heating rates, modest pressures, and short residence times - appear to be ideally suited for biomass gasification.

Research Organization:
Princeton Univ., NJ
OSTI ID:
5777896
Journal Information:
ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States), Journal Name: ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States) Vol. 144; ISSN ACSMC
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English