Semi-Batch Gasification of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF)

Juma Haydary,Patrik Šuhaj,Michal Šoral

doi:10.3390/pr9020343

Juma Haydary, Patrik Šuhaj + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9020343

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Abstract

Gasification is a promising technology for the conversion of mixed solid waste like refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and municipal solid waste (MSW) into a valuable gas consisting of H2, CO, CH4 and CO2. This work aims to identify the basic challenges of a single-stage batch gasification system related to tar and wax content in the producer gas. RDF was first gasified in a simple semi-batch laboratory-scale gasification reactor. A significant yield of tars and waxes was received in the produced gas. Waxes were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry. These analyses indicated the presence of polyethylene and polypropylene chains. The maximum content of H2 and CO was measured 500 sec after the start of the process. In a second series of experiments, a secondary catalytic stage with an Ni-doped clay catalyst was installed. In the two-stage catalytic process, no waxes were captured in isopropanol and the total tar content decreased by approximately 90 %. A single one-stage semi-batch gasification system is not suitable for RDF gasification; a large fraction of tar and waxes can be generated which can cause fouling in downstream processes. A secondary catalytic stage can significantly reduce the tar content in gas.

Highlights

Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Radlinského 9, SK-812 37 Bratislava, Slovakia; Analytical Department, Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, Abstract: Gasification is a promising technology for the conversion of mixed solid waste like refusederived fuel (RDF) and municipal solid waste (MSW) into a valuable gas consisting of H2, CO, CH4 and CO2
Thermochemical conversion is a promising method of solid waste conversion, including heterogeneous mixed waste like MSW, into valuable materials and energy [2]
This work aims to identify the basic challenges of a single-stage semi-batch gasification system related to tar and wax content in the producer gas

Summary

Introduction

This work aims to identify the basic challenges of a single-stage batch gasification system related to tar and wax content in the producer gas. Waxes were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry. These analyses indicated the presence of polyethylene and polypropylene chains. In the two-stage catalytic process, no waxes were captured in isopropanol and the total tar content decreased by approximately 90 %. A single one-stage semi-batch gasification system is not suitable for RDF gasification; a large fraction of tar and waxes can be generated which can cause fouling in downstream processes. A secondary catalytic stage can significantly reduce the tar content in gas. To be used in internal combustion engines, turbines or in methanol or ammonia processes, the gas should meet relatively strict requirements for gas composition, heating value, tar content and sulfur and chlorine content [6,7]

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