H2-Rich and Tar-Free Downstream Gasification Reaction of EFB by Using the Malaysian Dolomite as a Secondary Catalyst

• Published in: Catalysts 2021-04, Vol.11 (4), p.447
• Main Authors: Al-Obaidi, Mohammed Mahmoud Ahmad, Ishak, Nor Shafizah, Ali, Salmiaton, Arifin, Nor Anisa, Raja Shahruzzaman, Raja Mohamad Hafriz, Wan Abdul Karim Ghani, Wan Azlina, Yun Hin, Taufiq-Yap, Shamsuddin, Abdul Halim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alternative energy; Biodiesel fuels; Biofuels; Biomass; Catalysts; Chemical reactions; Dolomite; Efficiency; empty fruit bunch; Equivalence ratio; Fixed bed reactors; Fluidized beds; Fossil fuels; Gases; Gasification; Hydrogen; hydrogen fuel; Particle size; Raw materials; Regeneration; Synthesis gas; tar cracking; Vegetable oils
• ISSN: 2073-4344; 2073-4344
• DOI: 10.3390/catal11040447

In this study, Malaysian dolomites as secondary catalysts are placed at the downstream of the fluidized-bed gasifier. Three types of Malaysian dolomites with different elemental ratios of CaO-MgO content denoted as P1, P2, and P3 are investigated with EFB gasification reaction at different cracking temperatures (700–900 °C). The performance of the catalysts with a variation of catalyst to biomass weight ratio (C/B) (0.05 to 0.30 w/w) is evaluated. The findings showed that the total gas yield increased by 20%, hydrogen increased by 66%, along with an almost 99% reduction in tar content with P1 catalyst with the following reaction conditions: gasification temperature of 850 °C, equivalence ratio (ER) of 0.25, and cracking temperature of 900 °C. Malaysia dolomite could be a secondary catalyst to provide a better alternative, tar-free hydrogen-rich gas with the possibility of regeneration and re-use.