Abstract
Cellulose, a major component of woody biomass, was gasified in hot-compressed water using reduced nickel catalyst at reaction temperatures from 200 to 350°C. The product distribution was analyzed at different temperatures and reaction times. Cellulose decomposed to water-soluble products at first, and then, the water-soluble products reacted to form hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The obtained hydrogen was consumed by a methanation reaction to form methane. A reaction model for catalytic and noncatalytic cellulose decomposition is proposed.
