Co-Gasification of Biomass and Coal Blends

Co-gasification of biomass and coal blends has emerged as a promising route to combine the high energy density of coal with the low-carbon credentials of biomass. In this process, solid feedstocks are converted under controlled oxygen or steam partial pressures into a combustible synthesis gas rich in hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Blending biomass with coal affords several advantages: the inherent alkali and alkaline earth metals in biomass catalyse coal char reactivity, tar formation is suppressed through synergistic interactions, and overall carbon dioxide emissions are reduced compared with pure coal gasification. Technological configurations range from fixed-bed and fluidised-bed reactors to entrained-flow and microwave-assisted systems, each offering distinct benefits in terms of residence time, heat transfer and scaling potential. Key challenges include matching feedstock particle size, managing the disparate thermal decomposition profiles of coal and biomass, and controlling ash behaviour to prevent slagging or fouling. Globally, co-gasification is under active development as a bridging technology to hydrogen-rich fuels, fuel cell feeds and industrial chemicals, while contributing to renewable energy targets and circular-economy objectives.

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Co-Gasification of Biomass and Coal Blends publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in co-gasification of biomass and coal blends across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Syngas: A mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and other gases produced by gasification, used as a fuel or chemical feedstock.

Co-gasification: The thermochemical conversion of two or more solid feedstocks (e.g. coal and biomass) in a single reactor to syngas.

Char: The carbon-rich solid residue remaining after feedstock devolatilisation and partial gasification.

Tar: Condensable hydrocarbons formed during incomplete pyrolysis, which can foul equipment if not managed.

Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals (AAEMs): Inorganic elements in biomass ash (e.g. K, Na, Ca, Mg) that catalyse char gasification reactions.

Graphitisation: Structural ordering of carbon layers in char, inversely related to gasification reactivity.

Microwave-assisted gasification: A technique using microwave energy to heat feedstocks via dielectric loss, offering rapid thermal response.

References

1. Cogasification of Coal and Biomass: A Review. International Journal of Forestry Research (2012).
2. Interaction between Coal and Biomass during Co-Gasification: A Perspective Based on the Separation of Blended Char. Processes (2022).
3. Gasification Performance of Barley Straw Waste Blended with Lignite for Syngas Production under Steam or Carbon Dioxide Atmosphere. Applied Sciences (2024).
4. Producing hydrogen-rich syngas via microwave heating and co-gasification: a systematic review. Biofuel Research Journal (2022).