Affiliations: [a] Department of Chemical Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden | [b] Build Environment and Energy Technology, Linnaeus University, Växjö, Sweden
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Jan Brandin, Build Environment and Energy Technology, Linnaeus University, SE-351 95 Växjö, Sweden. Tel.: +46 765 920781; E-mail:Jan.Brandin@LNU.se
Abstract: Biomass gasification followed by fuel synthesis is one of the alternatives
for producing liquid fuels and chemicals from biomass feedstocks. The gas
produced by gasification contains CO, H2, H2O, CO2, light
hydrocarbons and tars. The light hydrocarbons can account for as much as
50% of the total energy content of the gas, depending on the type of
gasifier, operating conditions and feedstock. The gas also contains catalyst
poisons such as sulphur, in the form of H2S and COS. This paper
presents simulations of a reverse-flow partial-oxidation reformer that
converts the light hydrocarbons into more synthesis gas, while achieving
efficiencies approaching that of conventional catalytic processes.
Variations in parameters such as pressure, amount of oxidant and
steam-to-carbon ratio were also investigated. Simulations of the reforming
of natural gas were included for comparison. The results show the benefits
of using reverse-flow operation with lean gases such as gasifier product
gas.
