Pressurized Pilot-Scale Test Facility for Catalytic Combustion of Simulated Gasified Biomass: First Test Results

Gasified biomass has become an attractive fuel source for the production of electricity for various processes due to its potential to reduce the net CO2 emission. The overall aim is to combine biomass as a fuel source with high temperature catalytic combustion in order to lower emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. This paper presents the design of a pressurized test facility for testing various catalytic materials under varying operating conditions and arrangements in the combustor. Instrumentation of the rig is described. Catalyst development and preparations are being described as well as the first results from the pilot-scale test facility. Different catalyst configurations and compositions have been tested. It was shown that a Pd / LaAl11O18 catalyst is able to ignite the synthetic gasified biomass and that high conversion rates of H2 can be achieved with this type of catalyst. By applying a layer of barium stabilized alumina, thermal protection of the catalyst is achieved, hence limiting the maximum catalyst temperature.