Unit operations for production of clean hydrogen-rich synthesis gas from gasified biomass

The rebuild of the Vaxjo Varnamo Biomass Gasification Center (VVBGC) integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant into a plant for production of a clean hydrogen rich synthesis gas requires an extensive adaptation of conventional techniques to the special chemical and physical needs found in a gasified biomass environment. The CHRISGAS project has, in a multitude of areas, been responsible for the research and development activities associated with the rebuild. In this paper the present status and some of the issues concerning the upgrading of the product gas from gasified biomass into synthesis gas are addressed. The purpose is to serve as an introduction to the scientific papers written by the partners in the consortium concerning the unit operations of the process. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.