Catalytic removal of tar from biomass gasifiers II

Enabling biomass gasification technology to gain further attractiveness demands the development of next generation reliable and efficient tar reforming technology. Biomass gasification is use for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in addition it can be used for production of synthetic biofuels, this will further add business potential, and the benefits of storable renewable energy to biomass gasification technology. The synthetic biofuels can be e.g. methanol, methane, DME or gasoline. On a biomass gasification plant in general, first biomass is gasified and subsequently the amount of tar and dust in the gas is reduced before it is used. This project focuses on catalytic reduction of the amount of tar components in the gas.

The aim of the current project is the implementation of such a new generation of robust and efficient Haldor Topsøe A/S tar reforming technology at the gasification plant at Skive Fjernvarme, and undertaking the first steps towards production of biofuels downstream of this tar reformer. Soot formation and deposition of dust on the tar reformer will be studied along with different regenerations procedures to extend the operation time between regeneration and the catalyst replacement time.

The gasification technique used in Skive is ideal for production of liquid transportation fuel. Haldor Topsøe has a strong global position in plants that converts syngas into liquid fuel, and the experiences from Skive can be utilized by Haldor Topsøe in the establishment of Biomass-to-liquid or Biomass-to-gas plants as new areas of business. In this project, a preliminary study will be performed, that can determine how Haldor Topsøe can use the gasification plant in Skive as demonstration host for the production of synthetic fuels from gasified wood and other biomass.