In this study, Ce-modified BaFe2O4 prepared
by the sol–gel method was subjected to batch gasification experiments
in a fixed bed. The effects of temperature (T), steam-to-biomass
ratio (S/B), oxygen supply coefficient (α), and Ce loading on
the gasification performance were explored. The optimal oxygen carrier
was selected as 6 wt % BaFe2O4 (6Ce-BF). Excellent
gasification performance was achieved at T = 850
°C, S/B = 3, and α = 0.25, where the syngas yield was 1.735
Nm3/kg·biomass, the carbon conversion was 93.35%,
the gasification efficiency was 95.55%, and the cycle stability was
tested under these conditions. Fresh and recycled oxygen carriers
were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), H2-temperature-programmed
reduction (TPR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller
(BET) techniques. The results showed that the addition of Ce effectively
improved the relevant performance parameters of BaFe2O4 and enhanced its cycle stability. The formation of CeO2 strengthened the oxidation of the oxygen carrier at medium
temperature and optimized the oxygen release at high temperature.
The XRD results show that the loading of Ce facilitates the crystallization
process of BaFe2O4. And the XPS results indicated
that 6Ce-BF possessed more oxygen vacancies and stronger oxygen transport
capacity after cycles.