MoSi₂. A candidate material for biomass gasification atmospheres

Biomass gasification coupled to gas engine driven electric generators are an important decentral energy source in the context of providing green energy [1,2]. Depending on the ''purity'' of the biomass a lot of corrosion facilitating media can be found, such as chlorine or sulfur containing species [3]. This results in special requirements for the materials in biomass gasification reactors. Gas inlet nozzles are the most stressed parts in gasification plant, both thermally and chemically. MoSi2 was tested as an alternative material to commercially available and customized metallic alloys such as IN 625 or FeCrAl Alloys. Its capability of forming silicon oxide as a protective layer combined with the good self-healing properties make molybdenum disilicide a promising candidate for biomass gasification devices.