Catalytic co-gasification of coconut shells and oil palm fronds blends in the presence of cement, dolomite, and limestone: Parametric optimization via Box Behnken Design. Issue 4 (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Inayat, Muddasser; Sulaiman, Shaharin A.; Kurnia, Jundika Candra
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Energy Institute. Volume 92:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 871
• Page End: 882
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Co-gasification -- Cement -- Catalyst -- RSM optimization -- Oil palm fronds; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Fuel -- Periodicals; 621.04205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.joei.2018.08.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-9671

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) in combination with Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was used to optimize the temperature, catalyst loading, and blending ratio for a co-gasification process. The catalytic co-gasification of coconut shells (CS) and oil palm fronds (OPF) blends was performed in the presence of cement, dolomite, and limestone catalysts. A combined effect of temperature, catalyst loading, and blending ratio on production of H2, CO, and tar formation was investigated by using a BBD approach. The results showed the strongest influence of the process temperature on H2 and CO yield, and tar formation followed by the catalyst loading and blending ratio. A catalyst loading of 30 wt%, process temperature of 900 °C and blending ratio of CS50:OPF50 were predicted as the optimized conditions for the reported co-gasification results. The highest H2 yield of 20.64 vol% was produced during catalytic co-gasification of the blended biomass with limestone followed by the cement (18.22 vol%) and dolomite (14.99 vol%). Under optimized process conditions, lowest tar concentration of 0.87 g/Nm 3 was obtained with limestone follow by the cement (1.42 g/Nm 3 ) and dolomite (2.13 g/Nm 3 ). However, blending ratio did not affect H2, CO yield, and tar formation appreciably. Conclusively, the mixing ratio of CS and OPF would have a negligible role in controlling the process output. Highlights: RSM Box Behnken Design was used to optimize operating variables of catalytic co-gasification. Catalytic effect of Portland cement, dolomite, limestone was investigated on H2, CO production, and tar reduction. Influencing factors were ordered as; temperature > catalyst loading > blending ratio. Higher temperatures and catalyst loading favored high H2 yield and tar reduction.