Although much advancement has been made in the analysis of producer gas, none have yielded a system that allows for online measurement of gas, tar and particulate matter as they leave a gasifier or fast pyrolyzer. Producer gas streams present a particularly challenging substance to measure due to the presence of multiple, interacting phases and complex constituents. Both tar condensation and high particulate counts are very hazardous to current instrumentation, requiring both to be removed before analysis is performed.
The objective of this project is to develop an online analytical technique to sample biomass gasification streams using on-line mass spectroscopy. This technique is necessary to quantify the amount of non-condensable gases, hydrogen halides, sulfur and nitrogen containing compounds, and organic tars formed during the gasification of biomass. Most of these chemicals are not only harmful to the environment but also negatively influence production of synfuels through reactions such as Fisher-Tropsch synthesis. This synthesis is able to produce diesel fuel and other petroleum products through the thermochemical processing of biomass (fig. 1). The gas data from the Pfeiffer Vacuum ThermoStar Mass Spectrometer (MS) is important for optimizing performance of current gasification systems and cleaning technologies of raw producer gas.
The MS instrument is able to analyze all major and non-condensable gas constituents from biomass gasification (fig.2). This instrument can also quantify minor gas compounds such as ammonia, hydrogen chloride, and hydrogen sulfide (fig.3). This analytical technique will be used to determine the optimal performance and cleaning technologies of thermochemical gasification processes for production of synfuels.
Volkswagen AG
Powertrain
Dr. Wolfgang Steiger
P.O. Box 011/17780
38436 Wolfsburg, Germany
E-Mail: infosunfuel.de
www.sunfuel.de
May 2004
Art. No.: Z04.519.325.20
Figure 1: The Biomass to liquid process via Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis.
Figure 2: Concentration of major gas components using on-line mass spectroscopy.
Figure 3: Concentration of minor gas constituents using on-line mass spectroscopy.
Research by:
Patrick Johnston, Iowa State University, patrickj@iastate.edu
Participating and/or Sponsoring Organization:
ConocoPhillips Company