Characterisation of the char obtained from biomass gasification in a spouted bed reactor

There is a need to find ways of employing the solid residue of biomass gasification, char, to enhance the economic and environmental advantages of the process. The possible ways depend on the properties of char, which in turn depend on the conditions in which it is produced. For this study, gasification experiments were performed in a spouted bed gasification pilot plant, using wood pellets and apple pruning residues as feedstock. The char was then collected and characterised, in order to find its composition, ash content, heating value and specific surface area. The results highlight strong differences in the properties of the obtained char, depending on which material is obtained from and in which operating conditions; these properties are not dissimilar from what other studies report. The specific surface areas do not suggest the direct use of this char as activated carbon, but a further activation step or its use as a catalyst support might be possible ways for its valorisation.