A NEW CATALYST FOR THE CATALYTIC GASIFICATION OF BIOMASS

Various kinds of catalysts are being developed and tested for the pyrolytic gasification of biomass using the Waterloo Fast Pyrolysis Process (WFPP) technology. The present report describes gasification tests with wood in a continuous bench scale fluidized bed reactor but with no added air or oxygen in the region of 500-700 degrees C and at short gas contact times, using a crystalline nickel aluminate catalyst. The objective was to determine the most appropriate operating conditions for this catalyst and its performance for the production of a synthesis gas in high yields. Experiments were carried out with this catalyst in both inert and reactive gasification media, but without any oxygen or air addition. The results show the influence of the catalyst on the nature of the gasification products and the effect of operating variables. Gas compositions are given for typical WFPP operating conditions. Evidence is presented which indicates that the gasification mechanism is a fast thermal pyrolysis followed by catalytic reforming of the vapors with a high yield of synthesis gas.