An overview of advances in biomass gasification

• Published in: Energy & environmental science 2016-01, Vol.9 (1), p.2939-2977
• Main Authors: Sikarwar, Vineet Singh, Zhao, Ming, Clough, Peter, Yao, Joseph, Zhong, Xia, Memon, Mohammad Zaki, Shah, Nilay, Anthony, Edward J, Fennell, Paul S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Assessments; Biomass; Economics; Efficiency; Gasification; Sheds; Strategy; Sustainability
• ISSN: 1754-5692; 1754-5706
• DOI: 10.1039/c6ee00935b

Biomass gasification is a widely used thermochemical process for obtaining products with more value and potential applications than the raw material itself. Cutting-edge, innovative and economical gasification techniques with high efficiencies are a prerequisite for the development of this technology. This paper delivers an assessment on the fundamentals such as feedstock types, the impact of different operating parameters, tar formation and cracking, and modelling approaches for biomass gasification. Furthermore, the authors comparatively discuss various conventional mechanisms for gasification as well as recent advances in biomass gasification. Unique gasifiers along with multi-generation strategies are discussed as a means to promote this technology into alternative applications, which require higher flexibility and greater efficiency. A strategy to improve the feasibility and sustainability of biomass gasification is via technological advancement and the minimization of socio-environmental effects. This paper sheds light on diverse areas of biomass gasification as a potentially sustainable and environmentally friendly technology. The article reviews diverse areas of conventional and advanced biomass gasification discussing their feasibility and sustainability vis-à-vis technological and socio-environmental impacts.