Effect of limestone catalyst on co-gasification of coconut fronds and wood chips

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia.
² Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26600 Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Middle East College, Knowledge Oasis Muscat, P.B. No. 79, Al Rusayl, Postal Code: 124, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

^* Corresponding author: muddasser_engr@yahoo.com

Abstract

Biomass energy via gasification is an attractive substitute of fossil fuels. The distribution of biomass on the earth is scattered, so transportation and collection of biomass complicates the supply of biomass especially when the gasification rely on one type of biomass. Therefore, cogasification of different biomass is proposed as a potential solution for interruption-free gasification. Beside, unwanted by-products such as tar that cause blockage in downstream equipment can be minimized through the use of catalyst in gasification to accelerate tar reforming process. In this study, catalytic co-gasification of blended feedstock of 70% wood chips and 30% coconut fronds was carried out in a downdraft gasifier using limestone as primary catalyst. The effects of catalyst loading (0%, 30%, 50%, and 70% w/w) on syngas composition, gas yield, carbon conversion efficiency and heating value of syngas were investigated. The results showed that at 50% biomass to catalyst ratio, maximum H2 content of 11.39%, CO of 17.88%, carbon conversion efficiency of 69.49%, gas yield of 1.68 Nm³/kg and higher heating value of syngas 5.11 MJ/Nm³ were achieved. Higher catalyst loading (70%) blocked the air passage, which caused poor gasification. No more than 50% catalyst suggested for stable co-gasification operation.