Efficient in-situ removal of the trace ammonia in biomass-derived syngas by Fe-K-based biochar nano-catalysts

Zhihao Yu, Zizhao Guo, Lin Lang, Naixin Zhang, Yang Yu, Jian Wei, Qingjie Ge, Xiuli Yin and Chuangzhi Wu

Renewable Energy, 2025, vol. 249, issue C

Abstract: Trace NH3 in biomass syngas greatly limited the widespread utilization of biomass gasification. Fe-based catalysts is a popular choice for hot gas cleanup, but with generally poor performance of NH3 decomposition below 700 °C. In this work, biochar nano-catalysts (BN) was simply prepared by one-step catalytic pyrolysis of herb residues, in which the K promoter efficiently adjust catalytic active sites and nano-sized dispersion of Fe nano-particles (NPs) in biochar. The mechanism of NH3 decomposition was investigated in He/H2, and gradually extended to the simulated biomass syngas. The Fe-K-based BN catalyst (Fe-K/BN) achieved NH3 conversion of 95.2 %, N2 selectivity of 96.3 %, and 120-h good stability in syngas (at the condition of 550 °C with 20 vol% steam). The superior catalytic performance stems from the stable presence of FeN/Fe3C active phases. K facilitated carbon deposition removal through steam promotion, while simultaneously inhibiting the reverse water-gas shift reaction to enhance trace NH3 adsorption in biomass-derived syngas. This work provides a promising strategy to develop a cost-effective and stable catalyst for biomass syngas cleanup.

Keywords: Biomass gasification; Ammonia removal; Biochar; Fe-based catalysts; Coke deposition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:renene:v:249:y:2025:i:c:s0960148125008869

DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2025.123224

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