Catalytic cracking of tar in biomass pyrolysis gas in the presence of calcined dolomite

The possibility of decreasing the content of tar in the fuel gas obtained by biomass pyrolysis has been studied. Catalytic cracking of the tar in presence of dolomite was used. Dolomite showed a high catalytic activity. The overall effect of the dolomite is to increase the gas yield by decreasing the tar yield. The dolomite and the steam used seem to affect the amount of naphthalene produced. By adjusting both the amounts of catalyst and steam, we were able to decrease significantly naphthalene (13 mg/kg dry substance biomass) and amount of tar (164 mg/kg dry substance biomass).