On-line mass spectrometric measurement of tar from thermal gasification of biomass. Phase 1

The main purpose of this project is to develop an on-line method of analysing tar for controlling the operation of a thermal biomass gasification plant used for combined power and heat production by gas engines/gas turbines. The analysis method is primarily developed for use as a continuous quality control of the purified gas, before burning in the engine. The analysis method is based on Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MIMS), by which selected compounds are introduced into the ion source of the mass spectrometer via diffusion through a polymer membrane. Test of the MIMS-system are carried out with selected tar components for optimising the design of the membrane inlet. Temperature Programmed Desorption (TPD) is tested and evaluated for separation of tar components before the mass spectrometric analysis. A performance test of the MIMS-system is made at a few plants for gasification of biomass