Use of Nickel Oxide as a Catalyst for Tar Elimination in a Chemical-Looping Reforming Reactor Operated with Biomass Producer Gas
Journal article, 2012

A secondary tar-cleaning process based on Chemical-Looping Reforming (CLR) was investigated for upgrading biomass producer gas, derived from the Chalmers University of Technology 2-4 MW indirect gasifier. The experiments were conducted in a bench-scale CLR reactor using a manufactured nickel oxide (NiO) catalyst. Although Ni is a well-documented and efficient steam-reforming catalyst, it is susceptible to rapid deactivation under tar-rich conditions. The aim of this study was to explore the advantages of CLR as a gas-cleaning application, a process which offers continuous regeneration of the carbon deposits on catalysts. The tar-reforming performance of this Ni material and its influence on the gas composition and in particular its potential to increase the H2/CO ratio, were studied. The system was tested at reforming temperatures that ranged from 700°C to 880°C and at oxygen concentrations of 1.0% and 2.2% in the inlet feed to regenerator section. The results confirm the strong ability of the catalyst to reform tars. Higher process temperatures clearly promoted tar conversion, with 96% overall conversion at 880°C (99% if benzene is excluded), as compared with 45% conversion at 700°C. The hydrogen production was favored when temperature was raised. Though, a maximum ratio H2/CO of 2.2 was observed at 750°C. Finally, no time-on-stream deactivation of the catalyst in the CLR was observed during the test, which lasted almost 7 hours.

Tars

Chemical-Looping Reforming

Catalytic Gas Cleaning

Circulating Fluidized Beds

Biomass Gas Upgrading

Nickel Oxide Catalyst

Author

Nicolas Berguerand

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Energy Technology

Fredrik Lind

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Energy Technology

Mikael Israelsson

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Energy Technology

Martin Seemann

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Energy Technology

Biollaz Serge

Paul Scherrer Institut

Henrik Thunman

Chalmers, Energy and Environment, Energy Technology

Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research

0888-5885 (ISSN) 1520-5045 (eISSN)

Vol. 51 51 16610-16616

Subject Categories

Mechanical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Chemical Sciences

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Energy

DOI

10.1021/ie3028262

More information

Latest update

4/11/2018