Microwave-Assisted Gasification of Biochar: Effect of Operational Parameters and Biochar Composition on Syngas Production

Conference · Wed Oct 30 04:00:00 EDT 2024

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/2476525· OSTI ID:2476525

Mai, Duy Hien ^[1]; Abedin, Ashraf ^[1]; Bai, Xinwei ^[1]; Shekhawat, Dushyant ^[2]; Muley, Pranjali ^[1]

---

1. NETL Site Support Contractor, National Energy Technology Laboratory
2. NETL

The utilization of microwave-assisted gasification for biomass/plastic is a promising route toward clean energy production, contributing to a reduction in carbon footprint. This method facilitates the conversion of biomass into syngas with enhanced hydrogen (H2) yield, surpassing conventional heating approaches. However, the gasification of biochar, a byproduct resulting from the initial rapid pyrolysis of biomass, appears as a rate-determining step in biomass gasification. To ensure high conversion efficiency, particularly in pilot or larger scales, the maintenance of high biochar reactivity is essential, which can be achieved by introducing catalysts to minimize biochar formation. Furthermore, given the susceptibility of biochar to microwave heating, gaining a comprehensive understanding of its behavior in the presence of microwave-active catalysts under microwave conditions is crucial to obtain valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms, thereby improving overall biomass gasification efficiency. In the previous study, magnetite (Fe3O4) was selected for microwave-assisted gasification for biomass/plastic due to its dual role as a catalyst and microwave absorber and demonstrated considerably enhanced hydrogen production. Herein, Fe3O4 is rationally modified with metal promoters and their synergistic effect toward biochar gasification performance is investigated. The data shows that metal promoted Fe3O4 shows a higher syngas yield than that of pristine Fe3O4 in biochar.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM); USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), Office of Carbon Management (FE-20)
• OSTI ID: 2476525
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English