Effects of inherent AAEMs on catalytic gasification of biomass with large particle size under oxygen-steam atmosphere

Oxygen-steam gasification of biomass is a promising technology because of its ability to improve syngas quality and reduce energy consumption. In this study, a fixed-bed reactor is employed to assess the effects of inherent alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) on the catalytic gasification of candlenut wood with large particle size under the oxygen-steam atmosphere. Two grain directions, radial and axial, are considered for candlenut wood. Various characterization techniques, SEM, X-ray CT, BET, and FTIR, are employed to analyze biochar samples. GC-MS and GC are determined to tar and syngas respectively. The results show that char yield from biomass with axial grain is higher. Acid-washing removes alkali metals (K and Na) better from biomass with axial grain than radial grain, and vice versa for alkaline earth metals (Ca and Mg). In terms of the gasified chars derived from acid-washed biomass, AAEMs content gradually decreases along the end surface and radial direction, which could also be observed from the 3D reconstruction of X-ray CT images. In all samples, micropores (0–10 µm) dominate and are distributed along the grain direction. In general, pores of 20–30 µm and above 30 µm comprise a minor proportion. Inherent AAEMs facilitate an augmentation in char yield as well as BET and total pore volume of gasified char. AAEMs and grain direction have a slight effect on functional groups of gasified chars. Certain organic matter species and content in tar are remarkably affected by the grain direction, since the discrepancies of pore structure and specific surface area. Acid-washing pretreatment augments the content and organic species of M2-M4 compounds (containing 2–4 benzene rings) in the tar. K and Na significantly boost the char steam gasification, water-gas shift, and steam-tars reforming reactions. A decrement in concentrations of H2 (14.49% and 13.35%), CH4 (0.51% and 0.89%), and CO2 (2.32% and 1.37%) in syngas derived from acid-washed samples are acquired, respectively, compared to that of biomass samples with radial and axial grains. However, a reduction of 4.09% and 1.53% in syngas calorific value could be obtained. The CnHx volume fraction is significantly affected by grain direction and AAEMs, with axial grain yielding a higher volume fraction of C2H4 (49.07%), C2H2 (71.29%), and C3H8 (127.36%) from acid-washed sample than that of radial grain.