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Synthesis and evaluation of biochar-derived catalysts for removal of toluene (model tar) from biomass-generated producer gas

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  • Bhandari, Pushpak N.
  • Kumar, Ajay
  • Bellmer, Danielle D.
  • Huhnke, Raymond L.

Abstract

Challenges in removal of contaminants, especially tars, from biomass-generated producer gas continue to hinder commercialization efforts in biomass gasification. The objectives of this study were to synthesize catalysts made from biochar, a byproduct of biomass gasification and to evaluate their performance for tar removal. The three catalysts selected for this study were original biochar, activated carbon, and acidic surface activated carbon derived from biochar. Experiments were carried out in a fixed bed tubular catalytic reactor at temperatures of 700 and 800 °C using toluene as a model tar compound to measure effectiveness of the catalysts to remove tar. Steam was supplied to promote reforming reactions of tar. Results showed that all three catalysts were effective in toluene removal with removal efficiency of 69–92%. Activated carbon catalysts resulted in higher toluene removal because of their higher surface area (∼900 m2/g compared to less than 10 m2/g of biochar), larger pore diameter (19 A° compared to 15.5 A° of biochar) and larger pore volume (0.44 cc/g compared to 0.085 cc/g of biochar). An increase in reactor temperature from 700 to 800 °C resulted in 3–10% increase in toluene removal efficiency. Activated carbons had higher toluene removal efficiency compared to biochar catalysts.

Suggested Citation

  • Bhandari, Pushpak N. & Kumar, Ajay & Bellmer, Danielle D. & Huhnke, Raymond L., 2014. "Synthesis and evaluation of biochar-derived catalysts for removal of toluene (model tar) from biomass-generated producer gas," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 346-353.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:66:y:2014:i:c:p:346-353
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2013.12.017
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    13. Korus, Agnieszka & Ravenni, Giulia & Loska, Krzysztof & Korus, Irena & Samson, Abby & Szlęk, Andrzej, 2021. "The importance of inherent inorganics and the surface area of wood char for its gasification reactivity and catalytic activity towards toluene conversion," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 479-497.
    14. Eleonora Cordioli & Francesco Patuzzi & Marco Baratieri, 2019. "Thermal and Catalytic Cracking of Toluene Using Char from Commercial Gasification Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-16, October.
    15. Tejasvi Sharma & Diego M. Yepes Maya & Francisco Regis M. Nascimento & Yunye Shi & Albert Ratner & Electo E. Silva Lora & Lourival Jorge Mendes Neto & Jose Carlos Escobar Palacios & Rubenildo Vieira A, 2018. "An Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Gasification of Miscanthus Briquettes in a Double-Stage Downdraft Gasifier: Syngas, Tar, and Biochar Characterization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-23, November.
    16. Shen, Yafei, 2015. "Chars as carbonaceous adsorbents/catalysts for tar elimination during biomass pyrolysis or gasification," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 281-295.
    17. Ravenni, Giulia & Sárossy, Zsuzsa & Ahrenfeldt, Jesper & Henriksen, Ulrik Birk, 2018. "Activity of chars and activated carbons for removal and decomposition of tar model compounds – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 1044-1056.
    18. Li, Longzhi & Yang, Zhijuan & Qin, Xiaomin & Chen, Jian & Yan, Keshuo & Zou, Guifu & Peng, Zhuoyan & Wang, Fumao & Song, Zhanlong & Ma, Chunyuan, 2019. "Toluene microwave-assisted reforming with CO2 or a mixed agent of CO2-H2O on Fe-doped activated biochar," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 358-366.
    19. Huchon, V. & Martin, E. & Pinta, F. & Commandré, J.M. & Van de steene, L., 2024. "Conversion in a char bed reactor of tars and syngas from a wood gasifier," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    20. Guan, Guoqing & Kaewpanha, Malinee & Hao, Xiaogang & Abudula, Abuliti, 2016. "Catalytic steam reforming of biomass tar: Prospects and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 450-461.
    21. Huang, Zhen & Zheng, Anqing & Deng, Zhengbing & Wei, Guoqiang & Zhao, Kun & Chen, Dezhen & He, Fang & Zhao, Zengli & Li, Haibin & Li, Fanxing, 2020. "In-situ removal of toluene as a biomass tar model compound using NiFe2O4 for application in chemical looping gasification oxygen carrier," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).

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