Selection and performance of materials for biomass gasifiers

One of the more efficient routes for utilization of biomass resources, including black liquor, is high temperature production, through gasification or pyrolysis, of a synthesis gas (syngas) that can be used directly as a fuel or converted into higher value liquid or other chemicals. However, experience has shown that the environments produced in many of the gasification systems are very aggressive toward the materials used to construct the containment structures. For many of these systems, degraded components have been examined, laboratory simulation studies have been conducted, and alternate materials have been identified. These alternate materials have successfully addressed many of the problems encountered. However, proposed gasification systems, sometimes with higher temperatures and even more severe and exotic environments, will likely put further demands on structural materials requiring additional evaluations and new materials solutions.