Production of Synthesis Gas from Waste Wood

Abstract

Paper presents the results of research of a two-stage thermal conversion process of wood biomass into the synthesis gas. The process combines pyrolysis and a high-temperature cracking of volatiles. Two modules of a pilot plant with capacity of 1.7 and 6.0 kg of feedstock per hour were tested. The dependence of the chemical composition of the synthesis gas from the plant's capacity is shown. Synthesis gas obtained during the experiments contained no tars and contained not less than 90 % of a mixture of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) with a ratio of H₂:CO equal to 0.98 and 1.23 respectively. Such gas are suitable for use as fuel for autonomous power systems based on gas turbines or gas-engines. It is also suitable for the synthesis of methanol and dimethyl ether with a bilayer loading of methanol catalyst and γ-Al₂O₃.