Production of hydrogen- and methane-rich gas by stepped pyrolysis of biomass and its utilization in IC engines

Abstract

Automobile industries are majorly based on petroleum-based fuels like petrol and diesel that create environmental hazards, a high carbon footprint, and creating serious health issues. To reduce the problem associated with fossil fuel utilization, the world is focusing on CNG-based energy solutions and developing the infrastructures for CNG. There is a need to transfer towards hydrogen fuel-based infrastructure in near future. The current focus to introduce a fraction of hydrogen with CNG in the existing fuel system is initiated here. Therefore, the utilization of biomass is taken into account for the production of high hydrogen-containing fuel to cut down the carbon footprint and environmental issues. Biomass residues such as Sun hemp, Pigeon pea, Mustard stem, Wheat straw, Dhaincha, and Vantulsi were slow pyrolyzed in a stepped manner to produce a hydrogen-rich clean fuel. Product gas (hydrogenrich CNG i.e., H-CNG) obtain by this pyrolysis process contains almost 40%-55% hydrogen and 10%-25% methane balanced with oxides of carbon depending on different biomass feedstocks. This study is also focused on the performance of 2kva HONDA Genset in terms of its running duration when obtained Bio-HCNG gas is used as fuel and a correlation is also developed between H 2 , CH 4 , ΔH (Change in Hydrogen wt. % during the process) and D (Duration for which Genset will run in minutes) i.e., D = -6.25 + 0.996ΔH + 0.3889CG for model 1 & D = -9.20 + 0.090ΔH + 0.6099H 2 + 0.1893CH 4 for model 2.

Production of Hythane by Stepped Pyrolysis of Biomass

“…(Table 6) Hythane obtained from sawdust has better hythane yield, quality and calorific value, so it will perform better than GS. On the other hand, hydrogen and methane are strong reducing agents that can utilize for iron ore reduction [6,30].…”

“…engines and industries; the immediate replacement of fossil fuel systems with a pure hydrogen system is a gigantic task and must be attained in a stepwise manner in the near future. So, the technology is approaching for CNG and hythane (a mixture of hydrogen and methane) [6]. Agricultural and forestry wastes are potential renewable sources of energy.…”

“…Thermo-chemical and biochemical processes are the two main routes to produce biomass hythane. Hydrogen can be obtained from syngas, alkane steam reforming, electrosynthesis, and dark fermentation processes whose main gaseous component is hydrogen [6][7][8] Gasification is a process where hydrocarbons undergo partial combustion, and the main product is synthesis gas. Slow pyrolysis is a process in which bio-organic materials undergo thermal degradation in a completely oxygen-free atmosphere.…”

“…As lignin is responsible for high H 2 and CH 4 formation, hemicellulose is accountable for the increased CO 2 emission, and cellulose is responsible for high CO production [11]. The hydrogen content (H 2 ) depends on the pyrolysis temperature and increases as the temperature increases [6,12]. In Earlier studies, the syngas was produced from biomass through the gasification route and enrichment of hydrogen through steam and methane reforming, water gas shift reaction [13].…”

Optimizing Performance and Sustainability: A Comprehensive Analysis of an Internal Combustion Engine Powered by Tire and Biomass Pyrolysis Oil

“…The industrial sector, historically dependent on these fuels, faces considerable challenges. The unpredictability in the increase in energy demand, coupled with population growth, contributes to rising fuel costs [22] . This reality, combined with ongoing environmental degradation, highlights the urgent need to seek sustainable solutions, as the primary source of harmful emissions is associated with the burning of fossil fuels [34][40] .…”