Design and optimization of water scrubbing system for tar reduction in biomass gasification: a statistical analysis

Abstract Biomass gasification produces energy from waste, but tar production limits the use of the produced syngas. Water scrubbing is commonly used to remove tar from gas. Based on absorption and impaction principles, a new water scrubbing unit was developed and tested using a statistical approach. The study focused on two key parameters: water flow rate and sampling time, which affect tar yield. Central Composite Design was used to optimize and understand how these parameters influence the results. The analysis showed that increasing the water flow rate and reducing the sampling time led to lower tar content. Optimal results were achieved with a water flow rate of 80 l/min and a sampling time of 10 min, producing minimal tar compared to other experimental setups. The developed tar scrubbing unit reduced tar content by up to 67%. Statistical analysis of variance revealed that the water flow rate significantly influenced tar reduction in syngas across all trials examined in this study. This reduction is crucial for enhancing the fuel value of syngas, underscoring its potential for diverse applications. In conclusion, this tar reduction unit effectively reduces tar in syngas from small and medium-sized gasifier plants, which helps improve fuel quality.