Production of H2-Rich Syngas From Lignocellulosic Biomass Using Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis Coupled With Activated Carbon Enabled Reforming

Abstract

This study focuses on the use of a microwave reactor that combines biomass pyrolysis, at mild temperature, with catalytic reforming of the pyrolytic gas, using activated carbon, for generating hydrogen-rich synthesis gas. The traditional pyrolysis of biomass coupled with the reforming of its pyrolytic yields were also conducted using an electrically heated reactor. The bio-oil attained from conventional pyrolysis was higher in comparison to the yield from microwave pyrolysis. The reforming of the pyrolytic gas fraction led to reductions in bio-oil yield to <3.0 wt%, with a simultaneous increase in gaseous yields. An increase in the syngas and H 2 selectivity was discovered with the reforming process such that the use of microwave pyrolysis with activated carbon reforming produced 85 vol% synthesis gas fraction containing 55 vol% H 2 in comparison to the 74 vol% syngas fraction with 30 vol% H 2 obtained without the reforming. Cracking reactions were improved with microwave heating, while deoxidation and dehydrogenation reactions were enhanced by activated carbon, which creates a reduction environment. Consequently, these reactions generated H 2 -rich syngas formation. The approach implemented in this study revealed higher H 2 , syngas yield and that the overall LHV of products has huge potential in the transformation of biomass into high-value synthesis gas.

Catalytic pyrolysis of linear low-density polyethylene using recycled coal ash: Kinetic study and environmental evaluation

“…The oil composition was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS, Agilent 7890-5975C, USA). The oven was on standby at 60 o C, with helium as carrier gas, before being heated to 280 o C at a heating rate of 10 o C/min and with a split ratio was set to 50 : 1 [32].…”

Biomass Pyrolysis Technology by Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis, Catalytic Co-Pyrolysis and Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis: A Review

“…Its H 2 /CO was 1.04 and the content was 81.14 vol% [164]. MAP and activated carbon reforming can produce high-value hydrogen-rich syngas from biomass [165]. Bio-char prepared from MAP biomass can be used as an adsorbent to remove phenolic compounds from industrial wastewater [166].…”

Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Biomass Waste: A Mini Review

“…In contrast, microwave heating might induce hotspots within the material; therefore, the heating could be generated within the heated matter without the need for a transmission distance [70] as illustrated in Figure 3. A sewage sludge pyrolysis under conventional and microwave was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of producing syngas [71]. The total concentration of syngas was higher under microwave heating with values up to 85 vol% while only 74 vol% was for conventional heating.…”

“…However, an increase in the pyrolysis temperature caused an increase the gas fraction productivity meanwhile the liquid products remained almost constant. This can be associated to the mechanism of the pyrolysis process, whereby higher temperature promotes the secondary cracking A sewage sludge pyrolysis under conventional and microwave was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of producing syngas [71]. The total concentration of syngas was higher under microwave heating with values up to 85 vol% while only 74 vol% was for conventional heating.…”