Steam gasification of a lignite char catalysed by metals from chromium to zinc

The effect of various metals on the gasification rate and the composition of the evolved gases during steam gasification of a Spanish lignite char have been studied. Among the metals studied Ni showed the highest carbon conversion, although at steady-state conditions Fe was the best catalyst. However, neither metal increased reactivity up to the value corresponding to that of the original char. However, in the presence of H 2 in the steam flow Ni increased the reactivity up to a value similar to that obtained with the original char, and it behaved as a gasification catalyst suppressing the water gas shift reaction.