Alkali catalysis in biomass gasification

The mechanism of biomass gasification in the presence of alkali catalysts was investigated using two reactor systems. Tests at both high pressure and low temperature as well as low pressure and high temperature confirmed that an increase in gas production from whole biomass and biomass components is achieved in the presence of alkali. Supporting investigations elucidated the chemical pathways affected by the alkali and the alkali's effect on several physical parameters. The char-steam reaction was judged not to be diffusion limited in our high-temperature system. In addition, alkali-induced swelling of biomass was determined to be unrelated to the catalytic effect.