Biomass steam-reforming in a low throughput fluidized bed reactor

This work presents the results from biomass gasification tests in a low throughput fluidized bed membrane reactor (FBMR) and compares them with two-phase model predictions. The operating temperature was decreased to 550°C, while an equimolar steam/cellulose ratio was used. The profiles of kinetics limitation and biomass conversion were analysed when a palladium (Pd) membrane for hydrogen separation was used. The produced gases were analysed by gas chromatography, while steam composition and temperature profiles were retrieved by near-infrared imaging (NIRI) technique. As a single membrane tube did not show high permeability rates, the changes in conversions and temperatures profiles were not significant when a Pd membrane was incorporated. The experimental design and procedure allowed us to visualize low radial dispersions in the FBMR