Cyclone Performance Testing for Separating Biochar From Syngas

Fluidized bed gasification of cotton gin trash (CGT) has the potential to be a financially feasible means of electricity generation for cotton gins. Gasification of CGT yields 80% synthesis gas (syngas) and 20% biochar. The syngas is used to fuel a generator set (genset) to produce electricity from the underutilized biomass. The biochar must be removed from the syngas stream prior to entering the genset. Texas A&M University's current provisional patent on the TAMU gasifier uses a series of 1D2D and 1D3D cyclones for the removal of biochar from the syngas stream. A laboratory test system was designed and constructed to determine the cyclone's efficiencies and record the pressure drops across the cyclones while operating. Results from the experimentation yield that the higher the concentrations of biochar fed through the cyclones in g/m³, the higher the efficiencies that are obtained. Efficiencies of 98% for the 1D2D and 99% for the 1D3D cyclone were observed.