Atmospheric gasification of wood powder in a cyclone has been studied. A cyclone gasifier has been designed where the wood powder is injected into the cyclone with air or air/steam as transport media. The effects of stochiometry and steam injection on the gasification temperature and gas composition are investigated. The experimental results are compared with theoretical equilibrium calculations.

The fuel flow has been 26 kg/h corresponding to a thermal input of 140 kW. Equivalence ratio was varied between 0.15 and 0.4. Wood powder has been injected with steam mass flows of 50–80% of the fuel flow. The gas from the cyclone gasifier was analysed regarding CO, H₂, CH₄ and CO₂. The lower heating value of the gas varies between 4 and 6 MJ/Nm³ with lower values for steam injected gasification. Compared to theoretical calculations the air/steam injected measurements showed better agreement with equilibrium predictions than only air injection.