Optimizing Hydrogen-Rich Biofuel Production: Syngas Generation from Wood Chips and Corn Cobs

Abstract

This study investigates gasification using wood chips (WC) and corn cobs (CC) for hydrogen-rich syngas production. A simulation model developed in Aspen Plus was used to evaluate the performance of biomass gasification. The model incorporates a system of Fortran subroutines that automate the definition of input parameters based on the analysis of biomass composition. Furthermore, the model’s equilibrium constants were adjusted based on experimentally measured gas concentrations, increasing the precision of the variations. The numerical results predicted hydrogen yields of 65–120 g/kg biomass, with 60–70% energy efficiency for steam gasification (versus 40–50% for air gasification). The hydrogen concentration ranged from 34% to 40%, with CO (27–11%), CO2 (9–20%), and CH4 (<4%). The gasification temperature increased hydrogen production by up to 40% but also increased CO2 emissions by up to 20%. Higher biomass moisture content promoted hydrogen production by up to 15% but reduced energy efficiency by up to 10% if excessive. Steam gasification with wood chips and corn cobs shows promising potential for hydrogen-rich syngas production, offering benefits such as reduced emissions (up to 30% less CO) and sustainability by utilizing agricultural residues.