Equipment for the continuous monitoring of trace elements in gas from a biofuel gasification reactor has been developed by UK and German scientists.

Gas from an experimental reactor at Cranfield University, UK, was monitored using a portable self-contained analytical system developed by David Poole and colleagues at the University of Sheffield and SPECTRO Analytical Instruments, Germany. The system uses an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer to measure the concentration of up to 70 elements simultaneously.

'Gasification is of growing interest as this can increase the energy efficiency of biofuel use,' said Poole, 'but the behaviour of trace elements during gasification can be problematic, with environmental concerns over toxic constituents such as lead, cadmium and arsenic, and process problems caused by others such as potassium and sodium.'

High concentrations of potassium and sodium were detected, which, according to Poole, could result in fouling and corrosion of gasification plants. The heavy metals measured were not detected at significantly high concentrations.

The researchers will continue to optimise and improve their analytical system, and plan to develop more automated and robust systems.

Susan Batten