Role of inorganics on the biomass char gasification reactivity: A review involving reaction mechanisms and kinetics models

This review article presents the effects of the inorganic elements and compounds on gasification and their mechanisms of action. The influence of inorganics on the gasification reaction have been described in the literature. However, the specific phenomena involved and the mechanisms of action are not stated with consensus. Therefore, the present review gathers the various mechanisms proposed by authors. Some have been demonstrated to be unlikely such as the mechanisms involving intercalation compounds or mechanical actions. In order to give more practical applications of this work, the review also gathers the gasification kinetic models that take these inorganic effects into account. •Char morphology and its inorganic content influence strongly the gasification kinetics.•AAEMs have catalytic effects that enhance the gasification kinetics.•Al, Si and P have an inhibiting effect on the char gasification kinetics.•K and Si are of particular interest in terms of occurrence and activity.•Catalytic mechanisms by intercalation or mechanical actions are not likely to occur.