Tar in Biomass Producer Gas, the Energy research Centre of The Netherlands (ECN) Experience: An Enduring Challenge

Biomass gasification at temperatures below 1300 °C yields producer gas with a range of heavy hydrocarbons. These compounds, collectively known as tar, cause fouling and emission problems in equipment using the producer gas. This paper gives an overview of the work performed at the Energy research Centre of The Netherlands (ECN) on tar measurement, tar prevention, tar cracking, and tar removal. Much of the work has been performed in cooperation with partner institutes and industry. Measurement techniques discussed are the tar guideline, solid-phase adsorption (SPA) method, and tar dew point analyzer. On the subject of tar prevention, the effects of operating conditions, fuel composition, and bed materials in fluidized-bed gasifiers are covered. Tar cracking results are presented for catalytic materials, high-temperature treatment, and the use of plasma. ECN research on tar removal involves among others the development of the water-based GASREIP system and the oil-based OLGA technique.