“Investigation on thermal decomposition of biomass and tar destruction efficiency”

Author, institution: Kęstutis Zakarauskas, Lithuanian Energy Institute

Science area, field: Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering

The Doctoral Dissertation is available at the libraries of Kaunas University of Technology (K. Donelaičio St. 20, Kaunas) and Lithuanian Energy Institute (Breslaujos St. 3, Kaunas).

Scientific Supervisor:

Dr. Algis DŽIUGYS (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering – 06T).

Dissertation Defense Board of Energetics and Power Engineering Science Field:

Prof. Dr. Habil. Gintautas MILIAUSKAS (Kaunas University of Technology, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering – 06T) – Chairman;

Prof. Dr. Gvidonas LABECKAS (Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering – 06T),

Dr. Egidijus URBONAVIČIUS (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering – 06T),

Prof. Dr. Habil. Eugenijus UŠPURAS (Lithuanian Energy Institute, Technological Sciences, Energetics and Power Engineering – 06T),

Prof. Dr. Saulius VASAREVIČIUS (Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Technological Sciences, Environmental Engineering – 04T).

Annotation:

The main objectives of this work are investigation of catalytic tar removal from producer gas, evaluation of two selected catalysts, namely, dolomite mined in Lithuania and used tire pyrolysis derived char, for destruction efficiency of tar-containing hydrocarbons at high temperatures, and determine the optimum operating conditions as a basis for the development of new functional materials and technological solutions. Within the scope of the thesis results of catalytic thermal destruction of two basic tar-containing compounds which are present in the producer gas, benzene and naphthalene, are presented. Laboratory scale reactor was developed, properties and performance of two catalyst studied, composition of gas for tar compounds was performed, composition changes at different reaction temperatures (700, 800 and 900 °C) was monitored with four different processes (catalytic thermal destruction, steam reforming, partial oxidation and CO₂ reforming), residual tar content and gas composition after the catalysts was measured. It was found that activated carbon catalyst is more efficient in destruction of tars and at the reaction temperature of 900 ° C, appropriate amount of carbon catalyst (v=0.04 s^-1) with steam ratio of H₂O / C = 1 full tar destruction from producer gas is achieved.