Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to Synthetic Fuels in a Large Experimental Facility. Gasification Research on Wood (GROW) Project, April 1981-March 1982

摘要

A description of the Phase II segment of the GROW project is presented. In Phase II, operational experimentation of the 40-inch diameter, fluidized bed reactor at the University of Missouri-Rolla was continued. Recycle gas and catalyst and carbon dioxide scrubbing were used in an attempt to improve the quality of the gas. A description of the operation and the results of the tests with wood feed material and the conclusions drawn from the results are discussed. In general, recycling produced little improvement over air-blown gasification. The low temperatures caused by the heat consumption of the recycle gas and dilution of the oxygen appeared to be responsible. Both of these effects required a greater amount of air to maintain a given reactor temperature. With few exceptions, use of recycle gas in the operation of the reactor was adequate and safe. The effect of stripping carbon dioxide from the recycle gas was what was anticipated. The hydrogen content of the gas increased, and the carbon monoxide content decreased when recycle gas was used. Greater changes in the hydrogen and carbon monoxide occurred when potassium carbonate and a wood ash catalyst were used. However, use of the catalyst tended to cause fusing of the bed. (ERA citation 08:023270)