The gasifier system was run nine times, for periods between 2.5
and 4 h. To start the gasifier, initially the fuel biomass is loaded up
to the reactor maximum capacity and is closed. Subsequently is
introduced a propane gas duct by the air entrance to the reactor, to
create a flame inside the combustion chamber, then the vacuum
pump was turned on and the propane gas feed is removed. In less
than 15 min or when the temperature in pyrolysis zone (TC 2 and
TC 3) reaches 573 K the ignition step is completed and the record of
the profile of reactor temperatures and the gases flow starts. The
producer gas analysis starts when the preset temperature profile in
the reactor is reached, due to the high concentration of condensable
gases in the producer gas composition during the ignition process.
The tar sampling process starts at the same time of the producer
gas analysis, with the installation shown in Fig. 4; each tar sampling
takes 45 min.