Biomass Gas

Biomass is now been explored to produce a range of replacements for fossil fuels. One of the replacements is gas generated from biomass. Through processes such as gasification, biomass can be broken down into its key components, the gas produced is referred to a syngas or synthesis gas. The process of gasification ca be carried out on a large or small scale.

Biomass Gasification and Potential Uses

Biomass gasification is a thermo-chemical process where the biomass is broken down to produce syngas. Syngas is made up of Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen and some Methane. This means the gas is highly flammable. By heating the biomass to over 300 degrees, the gasification process takes place. The gas may contain particulates and tar, and for potential uses, such as combustion engines for example the gas must be cleaned. If a gas containing tars is used in an internal combustion engine, it will not be long before the engine fails due to a build up of tar. Various filter mediums can be used to remove the tar and particulates from the gas. These include even basic straw filters, to carbon filters and passing the gas through a liquid such as water. As mentioned this gas can be used in internal combustion engines. However as the gas contains less energy than a liquid fuel, the ration between fuel to air has to be increased. Generally a one to one ratio of syngas to air is used. During the second world war over a million vehicles were converted to run from syngas due to the fact supplies of fossil fuels were restricted.

Biomass gas can be used as a transportation fuel as it was in the second world war, however gas storage is tricky, and attaching a gasifier to a vehicle is not a practical solution. Areas where biomass gas can be used is where internal combustion engines are used as generators to produce electricity. A gasifier could turn an expensive to run generator, into a means to remove waste and generate free electricity. Biomass gas once cooled is also been used to produce liquid fuels. For example algae can feed off the gas and then be squeezed to produce an oil, which can then be processed to produce liquid fuels such as ethanol, bio-diesel and even jet fuel. Gasifiers however like a consistent sized biomass material with a low moisture content, and the ideal fuel for a gasifier is the pellet, as it also flows well though the gasifier fuel hoppers.

Biomass Fuel In Pellet Form For Gas Use

A gasifier can run on practically any biomass material, and pellets can be produced from practically any biomass material. Each pellet will have the same shape and size, with a low moisture content. This means it is much easier to produce gas consistently as the gasifier is running on a consistent fuel source.

Biomass Plants For Fuel Pellet Making

The Wood Pellet Production Guide © PelHeat Ltd - Biomass Gas