A highly integrated ceramic membrane-based reactor for intensifying the biomass gasification to clean syngas

Abstract

Biomass gasification for syngas production is a key operating unit in the biomass utilization process. However, its overall efficiency and stability are often restricted by the presence of complex impurities, including particulate matters (PMs) and tars. In this study, a highly integrated ceramic membrane-based reactor was developed for high-temperature syngas cleaning, enabling the efficient in situ removal of PMs and tars from bio-vapors produced by biomass gasification. Specifically, a silicon carbide (SiC) membrane could separate PMs from biomass volatiles in situ, while a structured Ni₁₅La₅/S1-SiC catalyst (nickel and lanthanum-laden silicalite-1 zeolite supported on SiC foam) facilitated the catalytic reforming of tars. Compared to other control reactors (i.e., those containing either a membrane or catalyst alone), the integrated reactor showed synergistic intensification in producing clean syngas from biomass gasification, achieving PM and tar removal efficiencies of up to ~97% and ~90%, and exhibited excellent stability in five-cycle evaluations at 800°C.