Hydrogen-Rich Gas Production from Biomass via Pyrolysis and Gasification Processes and Effects of Catalyst on Hydrogen Yield

Abstract

The main objective in doing the present study is to investigate hydrogen production from biomass via pyrolysis and gasification. Hydrogen is currently derived from nonrenewable natural gas and petroleum but could in principle be generated from renewable resources such as biomass. It can be produced from biomass via two thermochemical processes: (1) gasification followed by reforming of the syngas, and (2) fast pyrolysis followed by reforming of the carbohydrate fraction of the bio-oil. Steam reforming of hydrocarbons, partial oxidation of heavy oil residues, selected steam reforming of aromatic compounds, and gasification of coals and solid wastes to yield a mixture of H₂ and CO (syngas), followed by water-gas shift conversion to produce H₂ and CO₂, are well-established processes. The yields of hydrogen from the pyrolysis and the steam gasification increase with increase of temperature. In general, the gasification temperature is higher than that of pyrolysis and the yield of hydrogen from the gasification is higher than that of the pyrolysis.

Keywords:

• biomass
• catalyst
• gasification
• hydrogen-rich gas
• pyrolysis

Notes

^a 3% K₂CO₃ of the samples used as catalyst.