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

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6357843

Gas phase, steam cracking reactions dominate the chemistry of biomass gasification. At temperatures above 650/sup 0/C these reactions proceed very rapidly and generate a hydrocarbon rich syngas containing commercially interesting amounts of ethylene, propylene and methane. Increased pressure appears to inhibit the gasification process. These results indicate that biomass gasifiers should be designed to provide for high heating rates and short residence times with gas phase temperatures exceeding 650/sup 0/C. Transport reactors, characterized by large throughputs, high heating rates, modest pressures and short residence times appear to be ideally suited for this purpose. Future biomass gasifiers should rely on steam cracking to produce fuels and chemicals; thereby resembling the technologies presently employed for ethylene production.

Research Organization:
Princeton Univ., NJ (USA). Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
OSTI ID:
6357843
Report Number(s):
CONF-790415-10
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English