Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Optimizing the gasification performance of biomass chemical looping gasification: enhancing syngas quality and tar reduction through red mud oxygen carrier

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Biomass chemical looping gasification (BCLG) is a promising technology for producing high-quality syngas. In this study, the BCLG of corn cob using inexpensive industrial waste red mud (RM) as an oxygen carrier was carried out in a fixed bed reactor, focusing on enhancing syngas quality and tar reduction. The gasification performance of BCLG was investigated under different conditions, including O/C ratio, steam flow rate, and reaction temperature. RM improved gas yield and quality with a maximum H2/CO ratio of 2.39 while reducing tar yield by 38.75%. High temperature led to the polymerization of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in tar, but steam effectively reduced PAHs by 33.25% via the tar homogeneous conversion. The degree of tar cracking and conversion to gases in the presence of steam was more than the thermal decomposition in the pure N2 atmosphere. Additionally, metal oxides within RM participated in reactions with steam. The limitation of intensive reduction of RM through iron-steam reactions enhanced H2 yield and prevented RM sintering. XRD analyses revealed the evolution of iron compounds in RM during BCLG: Fe2O3—Fe3O4—FeO/Fe—Fe3O4. Under the optimal conditions of BCLG, the carbon conversion efficiency, gasification efficiency, and gas yield reached 70.74%, 92.95%, and 1.24 m3/kg, respectively. Meanwhile, the H2/CO ratio reached 1.82 while the tar yield was reduced to 0.196 g/gfuel. This study highlighted the potential of using RM as an effective oxygen carrier in the BCLG, which would contribute to the advancement of sustainable biomass gasification.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8.
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

Not applicable.

References

  1. BP (2022) bp ENERGY OUTLOOK 2022. BP Publishing Web. https://ricn.sjtu.edu.cn/Kindeditor/Upload/file/20220315/202203151707001424332.pdf. Accessed 2022.

  2. IPCC (2013) Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group Ito the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovern mental Panel on Climate Change. Computational Geometry 1. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-7721(01)00003-7.

  3. Zhao X, Zhou H, Sikarwar VS, Zhao M, Park A-HA, Fennell PS, Shen L, Fan L-S (2017) Biomass-based chemical looping technologies: the good, the bad and the future. Energy Environ Sci 10:1885–1910. https://doi.org/10.1039/c6ee03718f

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Luo M, Yi Y, Wang S, Wang Z, Du M, Pan J, Wang Q (2018) Review of hydrogen production using chemical-looping technology. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 81:3186–3214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2017.07.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Wang P, Means N, Shekhawat D, Berry D, Massoudi M (2015) Chemical-Looping Combustion and Gasification of Coals and Oxygen Carrier Development: A Brief Review. Energies 8:10605–10635. https://doi.org/10.3390/en81010605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Lee M, Lim HS, Kim Y, Lee JW (2020) Enhancement of highly-concentrated hydrogen productivity in chemical looping steam methane reforming using Fe-substituted LaCoO3. Energy Convers Manage 207:112507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2020.112507

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Chen J, Zhao K, Zhao Z, He F, Huang Z, Wei G (2019) Identifying the roles of MFe2O4 (M=Cu, Ba, Ni, and Co) in the chemical looping reforming of char, pyrolysis gas and tar resulting from biomass pyrolysis. Int J Hydrogen Energy 44:4674–4687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.12.216

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Abdalazeez A, Li T, Cao Y, Wang W, Abuelgasim S, Liu C (2022) Syngas production from chemical looping gasification of rice husk-derived biochar over iron-based oxygen carriers modified by different alkaline earth metals. Int J Hydrogen Energy 47:40881–40894. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.09.185

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Ge H, Guo W, Shen L, Song T, Xiao J (2016) Experimental investigation on biomass gasification using chemical looping in a batch reactor and a continuous dual reactor. Chem Eng J (Lausanne) 286:689–700. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.11.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Qin T, Yuan S (2023) Research progress of catalysts for catalytic steam reforming of high temperature tar: A review. Fuel 331:125790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.125790

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Zhang Y, Kajitani S, Ashizawa M, Oki Y (2010) Tar destruction and coke formation during rapid pyrolysis and gasification of biomass in a drop-tube furnace. Fuel 89:302–309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2009.08.045

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Qin Y, Campen A, Wiltowski T, Feng J, Li W (2015) The influence of different chemical compositions in biomass on gasification tar formation. Biomass Bioenerg 83:77–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2015.09.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Xue S, Wu Y, Li Y, Kong X, Zhu F, William H, Li X, Ye Y (2019) Industrial wastes applications for alkalinity regulation in bauxite residue: A comprehensive review. J Central South Univ 26:268–288. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-019-4000-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Renforth P, Mayes WM, Jarvis AP, Burke IT, Manning DAC, Gruiz K (2012) Contaminant mobility and carbon sequestration downstream of the Ajka (Hungary) red mud spill: the effects of gypsum dosing. Sci Total Environ 421–422:253–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.01.046

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Zhu F, Liao J, Xue S, Hartley W, Zou Q, Wu H (2016) Evaluation of aggregate microstructures following natural regeneration in bauxite residue as characterized by synchrotron-based X-ray micro-computed tomography. Sci Total Environ 573:155–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.08.108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Zhou X, Zhang L, Chen Q, Xiao X, Wang T, Cheng S, Li J (2023) Study on the mechanism and reaction characteristics of red-mud-catalyzed pyrolysis of corn stover. Fuel 338:127290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.127290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Zeng J, Xiao R, Zhang S, Zhang H, Zeng D, Qiu Y, Ma Z (2018) Identifying iron-based oxygen carrier reduction during biomass chemical looping gasification on a thermogravimetric fixed-bed reactor. Appl Energy 229:404–412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.08.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Wei G, Wang H, Zhao W, Huang Z, Yi Q, He F, Zhao K, Zheng A, Meng J, Deng Z, Chen J, Zhao Z, Li H (2019) Synthesis gas production from chemical looping gasification of lignite by using hematite as oxygen carrier. Energy Convers Manag 185:774–782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2019.01.096

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Velasco-Sarria FJ, Forero CR, Adánez-Rubio I, Abad A, Adánez J (2018) Assessment of low-cost oxygen carrier in South-western Colombia, and its use in the in-situ gasification chemical looping combustion technology. Fuel 218:417–424. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2017.11.078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Huang Z, Zhang Y, Fu J, Yu L, Chen M, Liu S, He F, Chen D, Wei G, Zhao K, Zheng A, Zhao Z, Li H (2016) Chemical looping gasification of biomass char using iron ore as an oxygen carrier. Int J Hydrogen Energy 41:17871–17883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.07.089

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Ge H, Guo W, Shen L, Song T, Xiao J (2016) Biomass gasification using chemical looping in a 25 kWth reactor with natural hematite as oxygen carrier. Chem Eng J (Lausanne) 286:174–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.10.092

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Huang Z, He F, Feng Y, Liu R, Zhao K, Zheng A, Chang S, Zhao Z, Li H (2013) Characteristics of biomass gasification using chemical looping with iron ore as an oxygen carrier. Int J Hydrog Energy 38:14568–14575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.09.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Luo M, Zhang H, Wang S, Cai J, Qin Y, Zhou L (2022) Syngas production by chemical looping co-gasification of rice husk and coal using an iron-based oxygen carrier. Fuel 309:122100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2021.122100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Rhodes C, Hutchings GJ, Ward AM (1995) Water-gas shift reaction: finding the mechanistic boundary. Catalysis Today 23:43–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/0920-5861(94)00135-O

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Hakkarainen R, Salmi T, Keiski RL (2010) Comparison of the dynamics of the high-temperature water-gas shift reaction on oxide catalysts. Catal Today 20:395–408. https://doi.org/10.1002/chin.199502027

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Song C, Li C, Zhu D, Chen W, Ai L, Huang N, Yang L, Guo C, Liu F (2023) Waste utilization of sewage sludge and red mud based on chemical looping catalytic oxidation. Fuel 332:125990. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.125990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Karimi E, Briens C, Berruti F, Moloodi S, Tzanetakis T, Thomson MJ, Schlaf M (2010) Red mud as a catalyst for the upgrading of hemp-seed pyrolysis bio-oil. Energy Fuels 24:6586–6600. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef101154d

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Saral JS, Ranganathan P (2022) Catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction of Spirulina platensis for biocrude production using Red mud. Biomass Convers Biorefinery 12:195–208. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-021-01447-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Chen L, Yang L, Liu F, Nikolic HS, Fan Z, Liu K (2017) Evaluation of multi-functional iron-based carrier from bauxite residual for H2-rich syngas production via chemical-looping gasification. Fuel Process Technol 156:185–194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2016.10.030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Ren J, Liu Y, Zhao X, Cao J (2020) Biomass thermochemical conversion: a review on tar elimination from biomass catalytic gasification. J Energy Inst 93:1083–1098. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2019.10.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Yang J, Xu X, Liang S, Guan R, Li H, Chen Y, Liu B, Song J, Yu W, Xiao K, Hou H, Hu J, Yao H, Xiao B (2018) Enhanced hydrogen production in catalytic pyrolysis of sewage sludge by red mud: thermogravimetric kinetic analysis and pyrolysis characteristics. Int J Hydrogen Energy 43:7795–7807. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.03.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Song J, Yang J, Liang S, Shi Y, Yu W, Li C, Xu X, Xiao J, Guan R, Ye N, Wu X, Hou H, Hu J, Hu J, Xiao B (2016) Red mud enhanced hydrogen production from pyrolysis of deep-dewatered sludge cakes conditioned with Fenton’s reagent and red mud. Int J Hydrogen Energy 41:16762–16771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.06.217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Cheng L, Wu Z, Zhang Z, Guo C, Ellis N, Bi X, Paul Watkinson A, Grace JR (2020) Tar elimination from biomass gasification syngas with bauxite residue derived catalysts and gasification char. Appl Energy 258:114088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114088

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Fukase S, Suzuka T (1993) Residual oil cracking with generation of hydrogen: deactivation of iron oxide catalyst in the steam-iron reaction. Appl Catal A Gen 100:1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/0926-860X(93)80111-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Matsuoka K, Shimbori T, Kuramoto K, Hatano H, Suzuki Y (2006) Steam reforming of woody biomass in a fluidized bed of iron oxide-impregnated porous alumina. Energy Fuels 20:2727–2731. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef060301f

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Ma K, Han L, Wu Y, Rong N, Xin C, Wang K, Ding H, Qi Z (2023) Synthesis of a composite Fe–CaO-based sorbent/catalyst by mechanical mixing for CO2 capture and H2 production: an examination on CaO carbonation and tar reforming performance. J Energy Inst 109:101256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2023.101256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Huang Z, Xu G, Deng Z, Zhao K, He F, Chen D, Wei G, Zheng A, Zhao Z, Li H (2017) Investigation on gasification performance of sewage sludge using chemical looping gasification with iron ore oxygen carrier. Int J Hydrogen Energy 42:25474–25491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.08.133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Wang S, Song T, Yin S, Hartge EU, Dymala T, Shen L, Heinrich S, Werther J (2020) Syngas, tar and char behavior in chemical looping gasification of sawdust pellet in fluidized bed. Fuel 270:117464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117464

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Vovk I, Melekhov R (1996) Role of iron oxide deposits in corrosion damage to the surfaces of steam-generating tubes of boilers of thermal power plants. Mater Sci 31:127–130. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00565986

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Azharuddin M, Tsuda H, Wu S, Sasaoka E (2008) Catalytic decomposition of biomass tars with iron oxide catalysts. Fuel 87:451–459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2007.06.021

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Virginie M, Adánez J, Courson C, de Diego LF, García-Labiano F, Niznansky D, Kiennemann A, Gayán P, Abad A (2012) Effect of Fe–olivine on the tar content during biomass gasification in a dual fluidized bed. Appl Catal B 121–122:214–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2012.04.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Zhao H, Li Y, Song Q, Lv J, Shu Y, Liang X, Shu X (2016) Effects of iron ores on the pyrolysis characteristics of a low-rank bituminous coal. Energy Fuels 30:3831–3839. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6b00061

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. Xu G, Murakami T, Suda T, Matsuzawa Y, Hidehisa T, Mito Y (2008) Enhanced conversion of cellulosic process residue into middle caloric fuel gas with Ca impregnation in fuel drying. Energy Fuels 22:3471–3478. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef800073w

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Boroson ML, Howard JB, Longwell JP, Peters WA (1989) Heterogeneous cracking of wood pyrolysis tars over fresh wood char surfaces. Energy Fuels 3:735–740. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef00018a014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Wang J, Zhang S, Xu D, Zhang H (2022) Catalytic activity evaluation and deactivation progress of red mud/carbonaceous catalyst for efficient biomass gasification tar cracking. Fuel 323:124278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.124278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Jin Q, Wang X, Li S, Mikulčić H, Bešenić T, Deng S, Vujanović M, Tan H, Kumfer BM (2019) Synergistic effects during co-pyrolysis of biomass and plastic: Gas, tar, soot, char products and thermogravimetric study. J Energy Inst 92:108–117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joei.2017.11.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Zhu T, Zhang S, Huang J, Wang Y (2000) Effect of calcium oxide on pyrolysis of coal in a fluidized bed. Fuel Process Technol 64:271–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-3820(00)00075-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Han L, Wang Q, Yang Y, Yu C, Fang M, Luo Z (2011) TG-FTIR study on pyrolysis of wheat-straw with abundant CaO additives. Spectrosc Spectr Anal 31:942–946. https://doi.org/10.3964/j.issn.1000-0593(2011)04-0942-05

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Jia Y, Huang J, Wang Y (2004) Effects of calcium oxide on the cracking of coal tar in the freeboard of a fluidized bed. Energy Fuels 18:1625–1632. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef034077v

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Mendiara T, Abad A, de Diego LF, Garcia-Labiano F, Gayan P, Adanez J (2012) Use of an Fe-Based residue from alumina production as an oxygen carrier in chemical-looping combustion. Energy Fuel 26:1420. https://doi.org/10.1021/ef201458v

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Nordgreen T, Liliedahl T, Sjostrom K (2006) Metallic iron as a tar breakdown catalyst related to atmospheric, fluidised bed gasification of biomass. Fuel 85:689–694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2005.08.026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Feng D, Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Sun S (2017) Effects of H2O and CO2 on the homogeneous conversion and heterogeneous reforming of biomass tar over biochar. Int J Hydrogen Energy 42:13070–13084. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.04.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  53. Shen X, Yan F, Zhang Z, Li C, Zhao S, Zhang Z (2021) Enhanced and environment-friendly chemical looping gasification of crop straw using red mud as a sinter-resistant oxygen carrier. Waste Manage 121:354–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2020.12.028

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Han J, Kim H (2008) The reduction and control technology of tar during biomass gasification/pyrolysis: An overview. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 12:397–416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2006.07.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Fan Y, Zhang H, Lyu Q, Zhu Z (2020) Investigation of slagging characteristics and anti-slagging applications for Indonesian coal gasification. Fuel 267:117285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Zhang H, Chen L, Liu X, Ge H, Song T, Shen L (2021) Characteristics of cyanobacteria pyrolysis and gasification during chemical looping process with red mud oxygen carrier. J Fuel Chem Technol 49:1802–1810. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1872-5813(21)60087-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Ding L, Zhang Y, Wang Z, Huang J, Fang Y (2014) Interaction and its induced inhibiting or synergistic effects during co-gasification of coal char and biomass char. Bioresour Technol 173:11–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.09.007

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This study was funded by the Key Research & Development Program of Zhejiang Province (Grant No. 2023C03174), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51976195 and 51506186), and National Key Research & Development Program of China (Grant No. 2018YFB0605403).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Energy and Power Engineering, College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Chaowang Rd. 18, Hangzhou, 310014, China

    Zhonghui Wang, Long Han, Zewei Shen, Kaili Ma, Yuelun Wu, Jianhao Zhang & Shengxiao Mao

  2. Quzhou Eco-Industrial Innovation Institute ZJUT, East Rongchang Rd. 2, Quzhou, 324499, China

    Long Han

Authors
  1. Zhonghui Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Long Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zewei Shen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Kaili Ma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yuelun Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jianhao Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Shengxiao Mao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

Conceptualization: Long Han and Zhonghui Wang; methodology: Zhonghui Wang and Jianhao Zhang; formal analyses and investigation: Zhonghui Wang and Zewei Shen; writing—original draft preparation: Zhonghui Wang and Yuelun Wu; writing—review and editing: Kaili Ma and Shengxiao Mao; funding acquisition: Long Han; resources: Long Han; supervision: Long Han.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Long Han.

Ethics declarations

Ethical approval

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, Z., Han, L., Shen, Z. et al. Optimizing the gasification performance of biomass chemical looping gasification: enhancing syngas quality and tar reduction through red mud oxygen carrier. Biomass Conv. Bioref. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-05056-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-05056-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation