Gasification reactions of chars and modified chars produced from jack pine bark

Chars produced from locally grown jack pine have been gasified at atmospheric pressure with temperatures up to 650°C in a flow reactor. The gases produced were CO, CO₂, CH₄ and H₂ as well as H₂ O. Above the char preparation temperature, 350°C, the yields of gaseous products increased with temperature until 550?600°C when the production of CH₄, CO and H₂ O decreased. Chars modified by the separate inclusion of 1% w/w sodium borate, sodium phosphate and nickel oxide produced changes in the product distribution; an effect which was also studied during the addition of steam to the gasification cycles. Gross calorific values of the chars and allied materials were determined in an adiabatic bomb calorimeter and residues were analysed for C, H and N contents.