Catalytic decomposition of gasification gas tar with benzene as the model compound

Tar decomposition over dolomite catalyst in gasification conditions was modeled by benzene reaction with CO₂. Kinetic studies were carried out at 1023−1173 K and ambient pressure in a plug flow reactor. Operation conditions without external or internal mass transfer limitations were used. Mechanistic models of the Langmuir−Hinshelwood type describing benzene decomposition were derived and tested. Experimental results could be best described by a kinetic equation where benzene single-site adsorption on dolomite was the rate-determining step and CO₂ adsorption took place nondissociatively.