Simulation and Parametric Study for the Hydrothermal Gasification of Palm Waste

Leading and heading towards a renewable and sustainable society and community is a must in the modern world. The production of energy will play a big role in this process. One of the options for a renewable and sustainable energy is the production of hydrogen from palm waste as a biomass. Hydrothermal Gasification of biomass provides a highly efficient pathway to hydrogen production. The main objective of this project is to simulate the gasification model in order to know the effect of the temperature and steam/biomass ratio in the gas composition. Modeling and simulation approach allows to identify the potential alternatives for the optimal production of hydrogen. A simulation process will be adopted for achieving the desired objectives. The process under focus is hydrogen production from empty fruit bunch from oil palm via steam gasification with in-situ carbon dioxide capture by CaO as sorbent. The model incorporates the chemical reaction kinetics models of the steam gasification of EFB (C3.4H4.1O3.3) and carbon dioxide adsorption, and the material balances. Parameter analysis on the influence of the temperature and steam/biomass ratio is performed. Increasing in temperature results in increasing of hydrogen and decreasing in methane and carbon dioxide. Increasing the steam/biomass ratio leads to increase of hydrogen and decrease of methane, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.