Effect of blending ratio on temperature profile and syngas composition of woody biomass co-gasification

S.A. Sulaiman; M. Inayat; H. Basri; F.M. Guangul; S.M. Atnaw

doi:10.15282/jmes.10.2.2016.20.0204

Authors

S.A. Sulaiman Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
M. Inayat Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
H. Basri Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
F.M. Guangul Department of Mechanical Engineering, Middle East College, Knowledge Oasis Muscat, P.B. No. 79, Al Rusayl, Postal Code: 124, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman
S.M. Atnaw Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15282/jmes.10.2.2016.20.0204

Keywords:

co-gasification; blending ratio; temperature profile; syngas composition.

Abstract

Co-gasification of biomass is beneficial as only relying on one type of biomass causes interruption in gasification if the feedstock supply is disrupted for any reason. Therefore, co-gasification of different biomass materials is a potential way to overcome the problem. In this work, co-gasification of wood chips (WC) and coconut fronds (CF) was carried out in a downdraft gasifier at 400 L/min airflow rate. Three blends of WC/CF of 70:30, 50:50 and 30:70 ratios were considered with a maximum particle size of 2.5-3.0 cm. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of blending ratio on the temperature profile and syngas composition produced by the co-gasification of WC/CF blended feedstock. The results show that the temperature profile and syngas composition of 70:30 WC/CF blend was comparatively better. The average syngas composition of 70:30 WC/CF blend during steady state co-gasification operation was 20%, 12% and 3% for CO, H₂ and CH₄ respectively. Similarly, the average syngas composition of 50:50 WC/CF blend was around 21%, 8% and 0.7% for CO, H2, and CH4 respectively. While the 30:70 WC/CF blend encountered with bridging problem due to fibrous and low density CF. No more than 50% of fibrous and low density feedstock like CF is recommended in a blend for stable and progressive co-gasification.

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