Tar reduction using an indirect water condenser and rice straw filter after biomass gasification

Abstract

Biomass gasification is a thermochemical conversion that uses material decomposition and chemical energy to convert biomass into synthesis gas (syngas) and impurities like tar. There are two methods for reducing tar: primary and secondary methods. Secondary methods that are commonly used are more economical, usually using a condenser or a filter. Filters are currently a frequent research topic because they use adsorption to reduce tar, and rice straw is well-suited for use since it contains silica that adsorbs tar well. In this study, we investigated an indirect water condenser, rice straw filter and combination of them to reduce tar in syngas. The syngas flowrate was the chosen variable with five variations: 72, 96, 120, 144, and 168 l/min. The experimental results indicated the indirect condenser removed tar with the efficiency 69.62% at 72 l/min flowrate and rice straw filter can done in efficiency 65.8% at 120 l/min flowrate. The study also showed that the combined indirect water condenser and rice straw with a syngas flowrate of 120 l/min could achieve a tar reduction efficiency of 84.87%. Both of two methods are implemented for mobile biomass gasifier application, particularly in remote areas.

Keywords

• Biomass gasification
• Tar reduction
• Condenser
• Biomass filter
• Rice straw