Biomass Gasification - a Review of Technologies
Thermochemical Biomass Gasification – A Review of Technologies
Abstract
Gasification (in the context of this paper) is an energy process that produces a gas which can be used to substitute fossil fuels. It is a process which enhances biomass' usefulness as a renewable resource as the product gas (syngas) can easily be transported along existing gas pipelines, and can either be mixed with, or used as a replacement for natural gas combustion in gas turbines for power and heat generation. Syngas gas can also be used converted to various chemicals such as ethanol, hydrogen, methanol and Fischer-Tropsch fuels. There are currently various technologies for the gasification of biomass, and a review was conducted on the different technologies involved in the overall biomass gasification process.
Keywords: review; gasification; biomass; syngas; liquid fuel
1. BIOENERGY AND GASIFICATION
Current energy supplies in the world are dominated by fossil fuels, some 80% of the total use of over 400 EJ per year. Approximately 13% of the balance is provided by biomass fuels (Jared & John 2002), making energy from biomass by far the most important renewable energy source to date (Andre 2005). The USA has the potential to produce nearly 1.3 billion dry tons of biomass annually which could displace as much as one third of current transportation fuel demands ( Pradeep & Samir 2010). Biomass has a distinct advantage over the use of other renewables such as solar cells and wind power, which are restricted because of the intermittent power generation.
Biomass is biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms such as wood, agricultural residues, food and industrial waste. It excludes organic material such as fossil fuels. Biomass as a fuel is carbon neutral process, as the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere during combustion is the same amount that had been captured by the plant during photosynthesis
Prior to the current use of fossil
Abstract
Gasification (in the context of this paper) is an energy process that produces a gas which can be used to substitute fossil fuels. It is a process which enhances biomass' usefulness as a renewable resource as the product gas (syngas) can easily be transported along existing gas pipelines, and can either be mixed with, or used as a replacement for natural gas combustion in gas turbines for power and heat generation. Syngas gas can also be used converted to various chemicals such as ethanol, hydrogen, methanol and Fischer-Tropsch fuels. There are currently various technologies for the gasification of biomass, and a review was conducted on the different technologies involved in the overall biomass gasification process.
Keywords: review; gasification; biomass; syngas; liquid fuel
1. BIOENERGY AND GASIFICATION
Current energy supplies in the world are dominated by fossil fuels, some 80% of the total use of over 400 EJ per year. Approximately 13% of the balance is provided by biomass fuels (Jared & John 2002), making energy from biomass by far the most important renewable energy source to date (Andre 2005). The USA has the potential to produce nearly 1.3 billion dry tons of biomass annually which could displace as much as one third of current transportation fuel demands ( Pradeep & Samir 2010). Biomass has a distinct advantage over the use of other renewables such as solar cells and wind power, which are restricted because of the intermittent power generation.
Biomass is biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms such as wood, agricultural residues, food and industrial waste. It excludes organic material such as fossil fuels. Biomass as a fuel is carbon neutral process, as the carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere during combustion is the same amount that had been captured by the plant during photosynthesis
Prior to the current use of fossil