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Microwave-assisted catalytic gasification of mixed plastics and corn stover for low tar, hydrogen-rich syngas production

Journal Article · · International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Morgantown, WV (United States). Leidos Research Support Team
The challenge for efficient management of post-consumer plastic and biomass waste has grown over the past few decades due to their dramatic increases. In comparison to conventional gasification, microwave-assisted co-gasification of plastics and corn stover offers many benefits, including increased H2 yield and gas components compared to unfavorable char/tar. Nonetheless, for future commercialization of the process and ease of product separation, further reduction of the undesirable tar is necessary, which can be achieved over the catalytic route. Here, in this work, we studied the catalytic effect of magnetite for microwave-assisted co-gasification of corn stover and plastic to make syngas with higher H2 and lower tar selectivity over non-catalytic conditions. A 1:1:1 ratio of plastic-corn stover-magnetite was used to evaluate the reaction parameters such as temperature, space velocity, heating media, and catalytic cycles under gasification conditions. In comparison with the microwave non-catalytic route, a 100% increase in the total H2 yield with 76% higher H2 production efficiency (mmol/kWh) was achieved in the presence of the magnetite catalyst, while reducing the overall tar formation from 9% to 2%. When magnetite was reduced in situ during the reaction, it coupled with microwave and delivered oxygen radicals that cracked down plastic and corn stover intermediates generated from the synergistic effect under microwave heating. Soon after the oxygen transfer process initiated, magnetite reached its final oxidation state consisting of microwave-active Fe and Fe3C phases that continued coupling with microwaves along with the generated graphitic carbon to maintain the heat necessary to further reduce the generated tar and make additional gaseous products, as confirmed by XRD, Raman, and TGA analyses.
Research Organization:
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)
OSTI ID:
2432332
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2375575
Journal Information:
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Journal Name: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Vol. 77; ISSN 0360-3199
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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