Catalytic Gasification of Coals and Biochars: A Brief Overview

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Coal gasification is a mature technology for conversion of fossil coal to syngas and subsequentially produce chemicals and fuels. In recent years, gasification has been proposed as a suitable technology for conversion of biomass and waste materials, to promote renewable energy sources and circular economy. Gasification of polymeric and miscellaneous wastes often requires a pre-carbonization step to obtain a homogeneous raw material with better fuel properties. However, coal and biochar gasification face specific challenges that require adequate solutions. These materials have high chemical stability and low volatile matter content, characteristics that hinder their full gasification at low temperature. Also, they may yield large fractions of tars and impurities that must be removed from the syngas before it can be used in energy or material applications. The use of catalysts can mitigate these limitations by reducing the activation energy of gasification. Alkali metal and alkaline-earth metal (AAEM), transition metal compounds and natural catalysts are the most widely used catalysts in the coal gasification process, due to their catalytic activity, availability, and low cost. Composite catalysts may allow a higher efficiency, as they have strong synergies, higher stabilities and can improve the gasification conversion rate compared to single catalysts. The scope of this review is the assessment of gasification fundamentals and technology, and the specific conditions for coal and biochar gasification. In addition, the authors comparatively discuss various catalyst typologies in gasification, and sheds light on low-cost and environmentally friendly catalysts as a potential solution for coal and biochar gasification.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability (ICoWEFS 2022)
EditorsPaulo Sérgio Duque de Brito, Roberta Panizio, Luís Calado, Ana Carolina Assis, João Rafael da Costa Sanches Galvão, Filipe dos Santos Neves, Flávio Craveiro, Henrique de Amorim Almeida, Joel Oliveira Correia Vasco, Ricardo de Jesus Gomes, Sandra de Jesus Martins Mourato, Pedro Monteiro, Vânia Sofia Santos Ribeiro
Place of PublicationCham
PublisherSpringer
Pages307-316
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-031-26849-6
ISBN (Print)978-3-031-26848-9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Event2nd International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability, ICoWEFS 2022 - Portalegre, Portugal
Duration: 10 May 202212 May 2022

Conference

Conference2nd International Conference on Water Energy Food and Sustainability, ICoWEFS 2022
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityPortalegre
Period10/05/2212/05/22

Keywords

  • Biochars
  • Catalysts
  • Coals
  • Gasification

Cite this