AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF HYDROGEN-PRODUCTION FROM BIOMASS GASIFICATION

An experimental study of hydrogen production from biomass was conducte d using a benchscale fluidized bed gasifier. Parametric experiments we re performed to determine the effects of reactor temperature, equivale nce ratio, and steam to biomass ratio. Experimental measurements of ga s composition and yield were used to calculate the hydrogen yield pote ntial, the capacity of the gas stream for hydrogen production by shift ing carbon monoxide and steam reforming higher hydrocarbons. Over the ranges of experimental conditions examined, hydrogen yield potential p roved to be most sensitive to equivalence ratio, varying from 62 g H-2 kg(-1) of dry, ash-free biomass at an equivalence ratio of 0.37, to 1 28 g H-2 kg(-1) of dry, ash-free biomass at an equivalence ratio of 0. 0. Of the conditions tested, the highest hydrogen yield potential, 128 g H-2 kg(-1) of dry, ash-free biomass, was achieved at a reactor temp erature of 850 degrees C, equivalence ratio of 0.0, and a steam to bio mass ratio of 1.7. This is 78% of the theoretical maximum yield of 165 g H-2 kg(-1) of dry, ash-free biomass for this feedstock. (C) 1998 In ternational Association for Hydrogen Energy