Reduction of tar generated during biomass gasification: A review

One of the main problems that happen during biomass gasification is tar formation, which could make this technology unsuccessfully from a commercial point of view. Tar content present in syngas defines its application, considering that limits - according to desired application - can be very demanding. There are two ways to overcome this problem: by optimizing gasification operation conditions and removal of tar from gas through in-situ (primary methods) or post-gasification (secondary methods) treatments. This way, multiple technologies have been developed considering the balance between efficiency and economy of the process, besides being (ecofriendly) environmentally acceptable. Some aspects related to tar formation, laboratory and industrial methods and technologies for its reduction-removal, as well as research and development in this area are reviewed and evaluated in this paper.