Simulation based analysis of syngas production from combined solid waste biomass of rice husk coffee husk and sawdust

Abstract

Abstract The syngas production from solid waste biomass gasification provides a renewable energy source. The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential of syngas production from different solid waste biomass such as rice husk, coffee husk, and sawdust by using Aspen Plus simulation. The rice husk samples were collected from Wereta, coffee husk from Yirgalem, and sawdust from Mekelle City. Thereafter, physic-chemical characterization of the samples in terms of proximate and ultimate analysis was conducted. An Updraft fixed bed gasification model based on the Ultimate and proximate analysis was developed to analyze the effects of airflow rate (0.1–2.2 kg/hr), pressure (0.986–10 atm), and temperature (773.15–1373.15 K) on syngas composition of CO, H2, and CH4 and lower heating value (LHV). An airflow rate ranging (0.1–2.2 kg/hr.), pressure (0.986-10 atm), and temperature (773.15–1373.15 K) were used to analyze the parametric effect on the syngas composition and to predict the outcomes for the three-waste biomass gasification. The results showed that coffee husk achieved the highest LHV of 47.84 MJ/kg at 1273.15 K, outperforming RH (40.85 MJ/kg at 1073.15 K) and SWD (42.63 MJ/kg at 1173.15 K). Syngas quality decreased with higher airflow and gassier pressure but improved with gasifier temperature due to enhanced endothermic reactions. Furthermore, this work provides a comparative assessment of this region-specific Ethiopian biomass, highlighting coffee husk as the most energy-dense feedstock. The findings offer insights for optimizing gasification parameters and selecting waste biomass based on local availability, advancing sustainable energy strategies in developing regions. Graphical abstract

Keywords

• Biomass gasification
• Coffee husk
• LHV
• Rice husk
• Sawdust
• Simulation