Hydrogen rich product gas from air-steam gasification of Indian biomasses with waste engine oil as binder

Abstract

Abstract Present study concerns with the production of H2 rich product gas by thermochemical energy conversion having biomass gasification as a route for the four biomasses i.e., Kasai Saw Dust, Lemon Grass, Wheat Straw and Pigeon Pea Seed Coat. The biomasses are from the family of woody biomass, grasses, agricultural waste and food process industry wastes. Waste engine oil as an additive is used, which also acts as a binder. Air gasification and Air-steam gasification is applied and compared for product gas composition, hydrogen yield and other performance parameters like lower heating value, energy yield. Product gas constituents, hydrogen production is examined with different steam to biomass ratio (S/B ratio) and equivalence ratio. The equivalence ratio varies from 0.20–0.40 and the steam to biomass ratio varies between 0–4. The waster engine oil is mixed with the biomasses with different percentage of 5 and 10 wt%. For enhancement of feedstock quality palletization process is applied. The H2 yield is greatly affected by the equivalence ratio. Results show maximum H2 production and higher calorific value of product gas at an air to fuel of 0.26 for all the biomass pallets. Also, the S/B ratio observed as important aspect for hydrogen enrichment. Hydrogen yield is maximum at 2.4 steam to biomass ratio. This study considers the rarely studied Indian biomasses with waste engine oil as an additive for hydrogen-rich product gas production and will be beneficial for small scale hydrogen-rich syngas production considering the central Indian region originated biomasses. Statement of Novelty (SON): Research work belongs to eco-friendly use of rarely studied Indian biomass pallets. Equivalence air to fuel ratio (E/R ratio), steam to biomass ratio (S/B ratio) and waste engine oil as additive have been considered to upgrade H2 content and Calorific Value (CV) of the product gas. Novelty of work include use of waste engine oil as additive to make biomass pallets.