Cogasification of Crude Glycerol and Black Liquor Blends: Char Morphology and Gasification Kinetics. Issue 8 (12th January 2017) - Kirtania, Kawnish
Abstract: In this study, we assessed the feasibility of black liquor/glycerol blends as a potential gasification feedstock. The char gasification reactivity and kinetics were studied at T =750, 800, 850, and 900 °C for 20 and 40 % blends of glycerol with black liquor. Three qualities of glycerol were used including two industrial‐grade crude glycerols. The gasification rates were similar for all blends; therefore, the alkali‐metal catalysis is also sufficient for the char blends (alkali/C atomic ratio between 0.45 and 0.55). The blends with the most impure glycerol (containing K) had the lowest activation energies (∼120 kJ mol −1 ) and reaction times for char gasification and, therefore, had fuel properties suitable for gasification. The char particles from different blends showed surface morphologies similar to those of black liquor chars with an even surface distribution of alkali elements. A loss of alkali (mainly K) from the fuel blends during pyrolysis indicated the necessity to perform gas‐phase studies of alkali release. Overall, these results encourage the use of glycerol as a potential gasification feedstock for catalytic‐gasification‐based biorefineries. Abstract : Alkali‐advantaged ! Crude glycerol is contaminated with organic residue and K + ions from biodiesel production whereas black liquor is a byproduct of the pulping process containing a high amount of Na + ions. The gasification of their blends in the presence of alkali resulted in fast gasification kinetics compared with those of other biomass feedstocks; this process shows significant potential to contribute to a green transport sector.