Experimental evaluation of manganese ores for chemical looping conversion of synthetic biomass volatiles in a 300 W reactor system

Two manganese ores with different iron content were investigated as oxygen carriers for chemical looping conversion of simulated biomass volatiles. The aim was to study the performance of the oxygen carriers with regards to combustion and potential use for chemical-looping gasification of wood-based biomass. The oxygen carriers were studied in a 300 W chemical-looping reactor system with circulation of oxygen carriers between the fluidized air and fuel reactors. The temperature was 850-900 °C and the fuel flow rates were 0.6-3 Lmin-1. The Mn ore with higher iron content showed significant oxygen release at 900 °C under inert conditions, as well as full conversion of CO, H2 and methane at low fuel flow. The other Mn ore showed little methane conversion and poorer conversion of the other gases when compared at similar fuel flows. However, the gas composition attained was rather similar if compared for a similar overall gas conversion. Nonetheless, a slightly higher syngas fraction and H2 to CO ratio in the product stream was obtained with the Mn ore with lower iron content. In all cases the syngas fraction in the product gas increased with temperature and fuel flow. The formation of fines (attrition rate), particle size distribution, and the bulk density of the oxygen carriers were measured to evaluate their mechanical properties during chemical looping of biomass volatiles.