Chapter 3: Gasification of Biomass: An Overview

Gasification of biomass for the production of renewable energy and chemicals has gained increasing attention in recent years. Although gasification is a mature technology for the conversion of coal, modifying the existing technology, as well as understanding the implications of the significant variation of biomass composition in the overall gasification process, is still a challenge. This chapter focuses on the process of biomass gasification to produce syngas, which can then be utilized in Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. Selection of feedstock, pretreatment, and the reaction chemistry of gasification are discussed to provide the basics of the gasification process. Details are provided of the practical applications of gasification, the reactor configuration used for gasification and the effect of various gasification parameters on the quality of syngas produced. This chapter also briefly covers current developments in the field of biomass gasification and possible operational challenges.