Catalyst performance of Rh/CeO₂/SiO₂ in the pyrogasification of biomass

The catalytic performance of Rh/CeO₂/SiO₂, steam reforming catalyst G-91, and dolomite has been evaluated in the pyrolytic, CO₂, oxygen, and steam gasification of biomass in a laboratory-scale continuous feeding fluidized bed gasifier. With respect to the biomass conversion to the product gas and selectivity of the useful gases, Rh/CeO₂/SiO₂ has shown much better results in all gasification systems. In the pyrolytic gasification, about 79% of the carbon in the biomass was converted to the product gas at 923 K. The carbon conversion reached about 95% level when a small amount of oxygen (ER = 0.18) was introduced with nitrogen. However, under almost the same conditions, the carbon conversion was within 75-80% of the level on G-91 catalysts. Although a small amount of char was formed on the highly active Rh/CeO₂/SiO₂, there was no tar found in the effluent gas stream; thus, this process has great potential to be utilized at the commercial level. With CO₂ and steam in the absence of oxygen, it is also possible to convert char to the product gas.