Biomass steam gasification in fluidized bed of inert or catalytic particles: Comparison between experimental results and thermodynamic equilibrium predictions

In order to improve the understanding of biomass gasification in a bed fluidized by steam, the thermochemical equilibrium of the reactive system was studied. The equilibrium results were compared to LGC experimental results, obtained by the gasification of oak and fir in a laboratory-scale fluidized bed of different catalysts: sand, alumina, and alumina impregnated with nickel. search was completed by a study of the influence on the equilibrium of additional parameters such as the quantity of steam, the pressure or the kind of biomass. Those results of simulation may be used for evaluating the limits of actual reactors. llowing conclusion may be drawn from all the results: ermodynamic equilibrium state calculated is far away from the experimental results obtained on sand particles. eam to biomass ratio, between 0.4 and 1 kgsteam/kgdry biomass, has a strong influence on the gas mixture composition. mperature increase and the use of catalyst allow producing a gas mixture with a high content of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The H2:CO ratio may reach values greater than 3. e of catalyst allows the system to get closer from the equilibrium, especially for the nickel based catalyst.