Renewable syngas production and technoeconomic validation in a pilot-scale reactor of air and air-steam gasification of biomass.

Optimal conditions for the gasification at the pilot scale of pine chips biomass feedstock with two different gasifying agents (air and an air/steam mixture) are determined. Ten experimental tests were performed at a fixed temperature, air stoichiometric ratio, and steam-to-biomass ratio. Results showed cold gas efficiencies circa 75 % (air) and 95 % (air/steam), yielding ∼3 Nm3 syngas /kg biomass , in both cases, and lower heating values of 7.6 and 8.5 MJ/Nm3, respectively. Hydrogen production and process performance were assessed and compared to those found in literature, showing a good performance considering biomass, ca. 35 g H2 /kg biomass. A techno-economic model fed with the experimental results obtained was validated. The model established that air gasification could be more profitable for energy than air/steam gasification, especially at higher scales. The internal return rate was less than 1.5 years; nevertheless, air/steam mixture as a gasifying agent more adequate for H 2 /biofuel production. • Experimental testing allowed to establish optimal conditions for biomass gasification. • Process performance was assessed based on cold gas efficiency (CGE) and lower heating value (LHV). • Syngas and hydrogen production was maximized compared to similar studies. • A techno-economic model was validated for gasification based on real operational outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]