H2-rich syngas production by sorption enhanced steam gasification of palm empty fruit bunch

Abstract

Hydrogen-rich syngas from palm empty fruit bunch has been produced using CaO and bentonite as absorbent and catalyst. The gasification process is carried out at 550–750 °C at atmospheric pressure in the fixed bed gasifier with steam to biomass ratio (S/B) of 0–2.5 and Ca/C ratio of 0–2. The results showed that CaO only acts as CO2 absorbent during the process. Increasing the ratio of Ca/C and S/B has increased the concentration of H2 and absorption of CO2 in the syngas. The addition of CaO did not significantly increase the production of CH4 and CO in the syngas. The H2 concentration reaches about 78.16 vol% at 700 °C and Ca/C 2.