Title:
Steam-Enhanced Gasification of a Hybrid Blend Composed of Municipal Solid Waste and Torrefied Biomass
Author(s):
Cruz Lamas, G., Couto Costa, F., Simões Santanna, M., Santana Chaves, B., Oliveira Galvão, L.G., Alves Macedo, L., Caldeira-Pires, A., Amaral Silveira, E.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
The increasing production of municipal solid waste (MSW) and its improper disposal affect environmental issues. As a way of dealing with landfill overload and still encompassing the growing demand for energy in cities, new technologies called Waste-to-Energy (WtE) are gaining more attention. Therefore, urban woody residues and MSW have become attractive as sustainable energy sources due to their availability and disponibility. In this context, the present work aims to perform the energy analysis of a hybrid biofuel formed by MSW and lignocellulosic residues in Brasilia, Brazil’s capital. For the study, a synthetic MSW was produced based on the main components of the landfill, which are paper and cardboard, plastic, and organic residues. The lignocellulosic blend was established based on six wood species representing the city’s pruning residues. To obtain a quality fuel, the individual components of the biomass, as well as its blend, were subjected to torrefaction pre-treatment (275 °C for 60 min with a heating rate of 5 °C.min-1), aiming to improve its characteristics such as moisture content, fixed carbon, and higher heating value (HHV). The hybrid blend was determined following the proportions, 80/20% and 70/30% (biomass/MSW). The torrefied products were characterized by proximate, ultimate, and calorific analysis. The obtained biofuel properties were used in thermodynamic equilibrium modeling to investigate the effect of the hybrid blends composition and gasification operational conditions on the producer gas quality. Three atmospheres (air, S/B = 0.25, S/B = 0.5) and a temperature range of 600–1000 °C were employed. A multi-criteria analysis decision evaluated the producer gas composition, lower heating value (LHV), and cold gas efficiency (CGE) for various gasification conditions. The results obtained show that: i) the torrefied lignocellulosic blend at 275 °C exhibited greater higher heating value (HHV) and lower H/C and O/C among the lignocellulosic samples; ii) the hybrid blend showed an intermediate HHV between the synthetic MSW and the lignocellulosic blend, and the hybrid; iii) the torrefied samples exhibit greater LHV and CGE during gasification; iv) H2 production was more advantageous with the raw feedstocks and steam atmosphere during gasification; iv) The producer gas obtained with air gasification of the torrefied blends evidenced best properties for direct combustion or green hydrogen production.
Keywords:
gasification, municipal solid waste (MSW), torrefaction, wood biomass, waste-to-energy, low-cost feedstock
Topic:
Sustainable Resources for Decarbonising the Economy
Subtopic:
Municipal and industrial wastes
Event:
30th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
1CV.2.2
Pages:
205 - 213
ISBN:
978-88-89407-22-6
Paper DOI:
10.5071/30thEUBCE2022-1CV.2.2
Price:
FREE
