Alkali-thermal gasification and hydrogen generation potential of biomass

doi:10.1007/s11705-017-1662-y

Front. Chem. Sci. Eng.

2017, Vol. 11

Issue (3) : 369-378 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-017-1662-y

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Alkali-thermal gasification and hydrogen generation potential of biomass

Alexander B. Koven¹, Shitang S. Tong², Ramin R. Farnood¹, Charles Q. Jia¹(

)

¹. Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, M5S-3E5, Canada
². School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China

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Abstract

Generating hydrogen gas from biomass is one approach to lowering dependencies on fossil fuels for energy and chemical feedstock, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Using both equilibrium simulations and batch experiments with NaOH as a model alkaline, this study established the technical feasibility of converting various biomasses (e.g., glucose, cellulose, xylan and lignin) into H₂-rich gas via catalyst-free, alkali-thermal gasification at moderate temperatures (as low as 300 °C). This process could produce more H₂ with less carbon-containing gases in the product than other comparable methods. It was shown that alkali-thermal gasification follows $C x H y O z + 2 x NaOH + (x − z)H 2 O =$ $(2 x + y / 2 − z)H 2 + x Na 2 CO 3$ , with carbonate being the solid product which is different from the one suggested in the literature. Moreover, the concept of hydrogen generation potential (H₂-GP)—the maximum amount of H₂ that a biomass can yield, was introduced. For a given biomass C_xH_yO_z, the H₂-GP would be moles of H₂. It was demonstrated experimentally that the H₂- GP was achievable by adjusting the amounts of H₂O and NaOH, temperature and pressure.

Keywords hydrogen generation potential biomass lignocellulose alkali-thermal gasification sodium hydroxide

Corresponding Author(s): Charles Q. Jia

Just Accepted Date: 10 May 2017 Online First Date: 10 July 2017 Issue Date: 23 August 2017

Cite this article:

Alexander B. Koven,Shitang S. Tong,Ramin R. Farnood, et al. Alkali-thermal gasification and hydrogen generation potential of biomass[J]. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 2017, 11(3): 369-378.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/10.1007/s11705-017-1662-y
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fcse/EN/Y2017/V11/I3/369

Fig.1 Schematic of reactor (1) furnace; (2) reactor (pipe tee); (3) electrical heater; (4) thermocouple; (5) temperature controller; (6) pressure gauge

Fig.2 Effect of temperature and excess H₂O on predicted H₂ production from glucose with stoichiometric amount of NaOH

Fig.3 HGR vs. mass of NaOH for 0.10 g glucose, 50 min at 350 °C

Fig.4 HGR vs. amount water added (either pre-mixed with glucose and NaOH or reacted as steam) for 0.10 g glucose, 0.30 g NaOH, 50 min, 350 °C

Fig.5 HGRvs.temperature for 0.10 g glucose, 0.30 g NaOH, 50 min

Tab.1 Carbon analysis of the gasification product (from 0.10 g glucose, 0.30 g NaOH, 350 °C, 50 min) pre- and post-ashing at 500 °C for 4 h

Fig.6 Thermogravimetric analysis of solid product residue from alkali-thermal gasification, conducted in air with a heating rate of 20 °C/min

Fig.7 Product yields of alkali-thermal gasification glucose compared to (a) gasification with and without metal catalysts [26], and (b) alkali-hydrothermal gasification [27]

Fig.8 Gasification of various feedstock (0.10 g biomass, 0.30 g NaOH, 350 °C, and 50 min)

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