H${}_2$-rich syngas production by sorption enhanced steam gasification of palm empty fruit bunch

Abstract

Hydrogen-rich syngas from palm empty fruit bunch has been produced using CaO and bentonite as absorbent and catalyst. The gasification process is carried out at 550–750 °C at atmospheric pressure in the fixed bed gasifier with steam to biomass ratio (S/B) of 0–2.5 and Ca/C ratio of 0–2. The results showed that CaO only acts as $\mathrm{CO}_2$ absorbent during the process. Increasing the ratio of Ca/C and S/B has increased the concentration of $\mathrm{H}_2$ and absorption of $\mathrm{CO}_2$ in the syngas. The addition of CaO did not significantly increase the production of $\mathrm{CH}_4$ and CO in the syngas. The $\mathrm{H}_2$ concentration reaches about 78.16 vol% at 700 °C and Ca/C 2.

Keywords

• $\mathrm{CO}_2$ absorption
• $\mathrm{H}_2$ purity
• Palm waste
• Steam gasification
• Catalytic gasification
• $\mathrm{CO}_2$ absorption