Gasification of Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) Biomass–Energy Recovery and Environmental Impacts

• Published in: Energies (Basel) 2020-09, Vol.13 (18), p.4960
• Main Authors: Koniuszy, Adam, Hawrot-Paw, Małgorzata, Podsiadło, Cezary, Sędłak, Paweł, Możdżer, Ewa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural production; Alternative energy sources; Alternative fuels; biochar; bioenergy; Biomass; Biomass energy production; Calorific value; Charcoal; Cogeneration; cup plant; Elongation; Emissions; Energy balance; Energy recovery; Energy sources; Fertilization; Gas generators; Gasification; gasification of biomass; Germination; Heat; Irrigation; Leachates; Liquid wastes; Plant biomass; Raw materials; Renewable energy sources; Silphium perfoliatum; syngas; Synthesis gas; tar; Toxic wastes; Toxicity
• ISSN: 1996-1073; 1996-1073
• DOI: 10.3390/en13184960

Biomass from cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) is considered a renewable energy source that can be converted into alternative fuel. Calorific syngas, a promising type of advanced fuel, can be produced through thermochemical biomass gasification. In this study, the suitability of cup plant biomass for gasification was assessed, including the process energy balance and environmental impacts of waste from syngas purification. Silphium perfoliatum L. was cultivated as a gasification feedstock in different conditions (irrigation, fertilization). The experiments were performed in a membrane gasifier. All obtained energy parameters were compared to the biomass yield per hectare. The toxic effects of liquid waste were assessed using tests analyzing germination/seed root elongation of Sinapsis alba. Leachates collected from condensation tanks of a gas generator were introduced to soil at the following doses: 100, 1000 and 10,000 mg kg−1 DM of soil. The usefulness of Silphium perfoliatum L. for gasification was confirmed. The factors of plant cultivation affected the biomass yield, the volume and calorific value of syngas and the amount of biochar. It was determined that the components found in condensates demonstrate a phytotoxic effect, restricting or inhibiting germination and root elongation of Sinapsis alba. Due to this potential hazard, the possibility of its release to the environment should be limited. Most of the biomass is only used for heating purposes, but the syngas obtained from the cup plant can be used to power cogeneration systems, which, apart from heat, also generate electricity.