Review of literature on catalysts for biomass gasification

Biomass gasification is a possible alternative to the direct use of fossil fuel energy. Biomass, a CO2 neutral source of renewable fuel, can contribute to the demand for heat, electricity and synthesis gas. However, there are inefficiencies in the technology, which at present render biomass gasification economically unviable. The presence of condensable organic compounds and methane in the product gas renders the gas unsuitable for specific applications. Elimination of the condensable organic compounds and methane by a suitably cheap technology will enhance the economic viability of biomass gasification. This paper contains an extensive literature review of the three main groups of catalysts, which have been evaluated for the elimination of these hydrocarbons. These three groups of catalysts are dolomite, alkali metals and nickel.