Nitrogen Gas Adsorption Filter (NgAF) to enhance producer gas quality

Abstract

Biomass gasification is a thermochemical conversion process of solid biomass into a gaseous fuel called producer gas that can be used to generate power and electricity. The producer gas consists of around 47% of Nitrogen (N2), 24% Carbon Monoxide (CO), 16% Carbon Dioxide (CO2), 12% Hydrogen (H2), and 1% Methane (CH4). However, Nitrogen (N2) content in the producer gas reduces its heating values as N2 acts as a diluent because of the low calorific value (LCV) of gas. This study aims to design a Nitrogen gas filter for capturing nitrogen gas from producer gas to increase the heating value of producer gas as fuel in combustion. The method to increase the heating value of producer gas will increase the number of combustible gases or reduce the composition of non-combustible gases in producer gas. The use of material name zeolite with its microporous structures able to adsorb nitrogen molecules and act as catalysts to chemical reactions. Zeolites 5A have a small pore highly efficient to adsorb nitrogen gas because pore diameter is relatively similar to the size of nitrogen molecules. The quality of the producer gas depends on the design and operating parameters of the zeolite catalyst. Nitrogen Gas Adsorption Filter is a new method that has to be designed to improve the previous producer gas quality. Nitrogen Gas Adsorption Filter consists of a cylindrical shape body packed with crushed zeolites 5A. When this method of adsorption process is applied, the heating value of the producer gas is increased by observing the quantity of blue flame colour produced by NgAF.