Abstract
This work deals with the utilization of lignocellulosic low-cost biomass-residues for the generation of syngas suitable for the upgrade to biofuels, i.e. Fischer-Tropsch (FT), biomethanation. A series of experiment was carried on using three types of biomass: two types of biomass residues, i.e. vineyard pruning and bark, and woodchip. The experiments were carried on in a batch fixed-bed reactor at 700 °C and 800 °C and at different steam flow rate (0.04 g/min and 0.20 g/min). The results show that it is possible to achieve optimal syngas composition for each biofuels upgrade pathway. For Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, a H2/CO ratio of approx. 2 is achieved using the low steam flow rate at 700 °C for pellet and 800 °C for woodchip and bark. For the biomethanation synthesis, the highest hydrogen-to- carbon ratios are achieved with woodchip at 700 °C and low SF, and for pellets at 800 °C and low SF. The results of this work provide further evidence towards the feasibility of renewable biofuels production.