Gasification concept testing for dual fluidized-bed based SNG process

Synthetic natural gas (SNG) production via steam-blown gasification of biomass has been gaining more interest in recent years. The 50-200 MW (fuel input) SNG production concept proposed by VTT is based on steam gasification in a dual fluidized-bed reactor, hot gas filtration and externally heated catalytic reforming. The downstream processes include ultracleaning units, such as acid gas removal, before final methanation to SNG. Preliminary tests were carried out in an atmospheric bench-scale bubbling fluidized-bed gasifier to study indirect steam gasification of typical Scandinavian feedstocks (wood, bark and straw) with two bed materials, silica sand and dolomite. The emphasis was on the gas quality. Furthermore, the suitability of the product gas for externally heated catalytic reforming was evaluated in preliminary tests. The results obtained from these gasification and reforming tests are presented in this pape