Sorption-enhanced reforming with limestone from iron production

In this work, the experimental performance of sorption-enhanced reforming using limestone as bed material, which is used in raw iron production, is presented. Steam gasification of solid biomass by sorption-enhanced reforming process (SER) leads to product gas with high hydrogen content and low tar content. The product gas can be used for a wide range of applications. This includes heat and electricity production, synthetic fuels, and other downstream processes. On the basis of dual fluidized bed steam gasification of biomass (dual fluid gasification), a reactive bed material is used to enhance the formation of hydrogen. Blast furnaces in iron production operate on the principle of chemical reduction, whereby carbon monoxide and hydrogen reduce the iron to its elemental form. The present paper summarizes the results of an experimental investigation into SER with limestone usually used as a part of iron production. The illustrated results reflect the operation of sorption-enhanced reforming within an experimental facility at the Vienna University of Technology.