Gasification and reforming of biomass and waste samples by means of a novel catalyst

Abstract

This study conducted gasification and catalytic reforming experiments with the expectation of obtaining new advantages on energy recovery and aimed for the development of an effective catalyst. Initially, the use of thermal gasification technology for waste treatment in line with waste-to-energy strategies was reviewed. Technological systems which have gasification were classified and their current status was discussed. Then, the results of gasification and reforming experiments showed that product gas with 50 % H₂ or more was obtained using a Ni catalyst on a mesoporous silica–based SBA-15 support (NiO/SBA-15), which we newly developed. Experiments using wood feedstock revealed that H₂ production by the catalyst was better when the NiO content was 20 % (W/W) or more than when another catalyst or the Ni catalyst with a lower Ni loading was used. Tar formation as a by-product was also well controlled by the catalyst, and use of a catalyst with 40 % NiO reduced the tar concentration to less than 0.2 g/${\text{m}}^{3}_{\text{N}}$. Experiments using a mixed feedstock of wood and RPF resulted in an increase in hydrocarbon concentration because of insufficient reforming. This finding suggests that future work is required to find a better solution to wood and RPF co-gasification.