(779d) Plasma Gasification of Wood Pellets Using a Laboratory Scale Plasma Reactor  to Produce Synthesis Gas: Effect of Increasing Temperature and Addition of Oxygen to the Process

A laboratory scale plasma reactor (max 15Kw power) has been used to convert wood pellets (biomass) into synthesis gas that can be used for downstream processes. A series of experiments have been conducted to see the effects of increasing temperature and adding oxygen to the process on conversion of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The results show that increase in temperature from 400⁰C to 1000⁰C results in overall increase in biomass conversion (mass %) from 30% to 82%. In the case where no additional oxygen is supplied, the carbon and hydrogen conversion increases with increase in temperature up to 82% and 98% respectively but the molar ratio of carbon monoxide and hydrogen is unchanged at 1:1 for the temperatures studied. Addition of controlled oxygen increases the carbon monoxide yield and also results in the CO/H2 ratio of 3:2 for temperature range 800⁰C -1200⁰C. Simultaneous increase in reactor temperature and oxygen amounts to the process resulted in increased biomass conversion and a reduction of residues in the reactor.