Low-temperature catalytic conversion of lignite: 1. Steam gasification using potassium carbonate supported on perovskite oxide

The catalytic conversion of alkali metal carbonate (K2CO3) catalyst supported on perovskite oxide was carefully examined as an effective catalyst for low-temperature catalytic gasification of lignite. It showed much higher activity than K2CO3 alone as well as K2CO3 supported on gamma-alumina under gasification conditions below 800 degrees C. Furthermore, catalyzed syngas had higher H-2 and lower CO2 ratios than noncatalyzed syngas. Promisingly, there was also much less tar formation, less than 50 wt.% compared to non-catalyzed gasification. Also, less loss of K2CO3 and no coke formation on the catalyst surface were confirmed, comparing to the catalytic gasification with K2CO3 supported on gamma-alumina. (C) 2013 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.