Qingdao institute of bioenergy and bioprocess technology (QIBEBT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Air Liquide (AL) signed a contract on the technology R&D for biomass oxygen enriched gasification on July 4.  

In Phase-I, based on the two-stage downdraft biomass gasifier (biomass feedstock: 3 ton/d), Thermo-chemical Conversion Group of QIBEBT and AL successfully developed oxygen enriched gasification technology for the production of bio-syngas. Compared with traditional process (e.g. biomass air/steam/catalytic gasification, etc.), this novel process is superior with high calorific value (>10MJ/Nm³), low tar (< 20mg/Nm³) and suitable H₂/CO (about 1:1) fordimethyl ether (DME) synthesis. 

In order to further optimize oxygen enriched gasification technology, AL and QIBEBT signed a Phase-II contract in order to further cooperation to in the areas of promoting oxygen load of combustion & pyrolysis zone of gasifier, impact of oxygen distribution on syngas composition and heat value, biomass pyrolysis gas ignition under oxygen enrichment condition, and content of carbon in ash and slag.  

Air Liquide is a French multinational company which supplies industrial gases and services to various industries including medical, chemical and electronic manufacturers. Founded in 1902, it is the world's largest supplier of industrial gases by revenues and has operations in over 80 countries. There is an emphasis on research and development (R&D) throughout the entire Air Liquide company. R&D targets the creation of not only industrial gases, but also gases that are used in products such as healthcare items, electronic chips, foods and chemicals. The major R&D groups within Air Liquide focus on analysis, bioresources (foods and chemicals), combustion, membranes, modeling, and the production of Hydrogen (H₂) gas.