ABSTRACT
Biomass gasication converts various biomass fuels into combustible gases (producer gas) in the presence of a limited supply of oxygen or suitable oxidants such as carbon dioxide or steam. Biomass gasication is usually performed at high temperatures (>800°C), resulting in producer gas usually consisting of hydrogen (H2, 12%–20%), carbon monoxide (CO, 17%–22%), methane (CH4, 2%–3%), carbon dioxide (CO2, 9%–15%), water vapour (H2O), nitrogen (N2) and various impurities such as tar vapours, the composition of which depends on the gasier’s design and operational conditions (Quaak et al. 1999; McKendry 2002a).
