Objectives Finding an Optimum Operating Condition To

Produce Energy Dense Syngas High Quality Syngas Production System Improvement

Pilot Scale Gasification of Pine Md Waliul Islam1, Jude Asonganyi1 & Prashanth R. Buchireddy2, John L. Guillory2, Mark E. Zappi1

1Department of Chemical Engineering, University Of Louisiana at Lafayette2Department of Mechanical Engineering, University Of Louisiana at Lafayette

Challenges EncounteredMaterial Handling SystemTemperature Drop From Combustion to Gasification TransitionInterrupted Feeding System

Tar Deposit InNomex Bag Filter CloggingHeat Exchanger Tubes

Water Accumulation Due To Steam Condensation

Future Goals Improving The Material Handling System Performance Oxygen Gasification To Produce Energy Dense Syngas Eliminate/Separate Tars From Syngas Stream Gasification Of Torrefied Biomass Commercialization Efforts

AcknowledgementsLouisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR)U. S. Department of EnergyCLECO Power, LLCNorth Star RMS, LLCUniversity of Louisiana at LafayetteEDG (Engineering)Poche Prouet Associates (Architects)Bill Holme, Robert Bentley, Derek Richard

Syngas Composition (For Pine Chips)

Hydrogen, % 5.9

Carbon monoxide, % 10.0

Methane, % 4.5

Carbon dioxide, % 16.5

Oxygen, % 0.5

Nitrogen, % 62.6

Heating Value, Btu/scf 94.38

• Higher Temperature Increases Hydrogen Production And Carbon Conversion

• High Moisture In Pine Wood Is Responsible For Water Accumulation In the System and Pressure Increase in the Reactor

Initially the Fluidized Bed Reactor is operated in Combustion mode and after reaching higher temperature (1400 °F >) gasification is performed by restricting the air flow into the system and increasing the biomass feeding rate.

Louisiana Biomass StatisticsTotal Biomass Resources in LA-13,000 MT/year Approximately 22% of homes in LA could be powered Approximately 30% gasoline consumption could be replaced in LA

Advantages of Biomass• No Harmful Emission • Clean Energy (Environment Friendly)• Renewable Energy (Will Never Run Out,

abundant)• Reduces Landfill (Waste Could be Converted to

Energy)• Reduces Dependency on Fossil Fuels

Higher Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide percentage in the syngas increase the BTU Value of the product gas and the energy generation