Use of coals and wastes in a co-gasification process aimed at producing hydrogen rich gas

Abstract

The use of low-quality coals and flotoconcentrates is currently severely limited, and the problem of managing municipal waste from anthropogenic activities is currently a challenge. The problems of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, utilizing the energy potential of waste and increasing its recycling have an impact on the costs of electricity production. Considering the abundant streams of unused fuels, they can be considered as attractive energy materials, so environmentally-friendly and cost-effective options for their utilization should be developed. A study was conducted using steam co-gasification technology on selected coals, flotation concentrates and Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) alternative fuel. Selected low-quality coals were combined with RDF alternative fuel in a process aimed at hydrogen production. The experiments produced gas with hydrogen concentrations ranging from 67% (vol.) to 68% (vol.) with low methane concentrations. It was observed that the addition of alternative fuels helped to increase the hydrogen concentration in syngas. Attention was paid to the catalytic ability of the metal oxides contained in the fuel blend, with particular reference to K2O and Al2O3 and TiO2.