[Gasification] Requesting feedback on tar reduction

[Robert Deutsch]

Dear Listers,

I recently received several e-mails from an Indian engineer who says he is building rice hull gasifiers in Myanmar (Burma) for electrical generation using diesel generator sets ( up to 1 MW size).  His company is called RNV IMPEX, partners with Sicusa- Renewable & Bio gas Energy: USA (has anyone heard of either?)

I asked him how they were dealing with the tar content in the gas.  Below is his response.  I would like some feedback from you all the feasibility of his claims.  I also asked about gasifying a type of palm tree bark called Sagu.  The sagu tree is used to make high quality food starch (waste bark contains a good deal of starch and very hard wood fibers.  Waste available in large quantities in Malaysia)

Thanks,

Robert in Cambodia

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Sir,
Tar continued to pose a major problem till This activity followed.Using a Corona Tar Cracker ( Essentially a gas laser) proved far to expensive besides requiring an initial power source for the Corona Generator.Tars as you know are condensable / aromatic Hydrocarbons 
Briefly they they come in the Primary,Secondary and skipping a few steps in the Tertiary Tar stage.All this happens at different Temps!.  In your car--Diesel Or Petrol- Tar formation is also very much there. If you check the Inlet manifold // Cylinder head 
it's there but at levels that can take you thru 200,000 km before decarbonization.

I have removed nearly 90% of TAR thru a Chemical Scrubber. (The Chemical is both Cheap and readily available the world over). The 
ratio of Liquid Chemical to clean water  is 1:100, DEPENDING ON THE VISCOSITY OF THE TAR BEING DEALT WITH. The Tar gets removed to well over acceptable levels whereby it can then safely be used in an IC // Turbine Engine.After about 150 Hrs Liquid change.

WOOD GASIFICATION will have a higher Vol % of H2, nearly 20%. This will be a cleaner Fuel- in IC Engines it tends to give rise to Preignition- this can be dealt with. Yes Woody Feed stock should pose no problem if it is properly sized up.for the gasifier.

 A Starchy mass although Hydrocarbons, gelatinize on heat applications to form Dextrins. Basically consist of 2 compounds Amylose //Amylopectins these on heating further produce Maltose, Dextrose etc. I have Used Ethanol // Methanol in Engines also. Got out of 
Rice /Sugar cane.

Best Rgds Ranjit Chauhan. ( Nickey)