Production of Hydrogen and Synthesis gas via Cu-Ni/Al2O3 catalyzed gasification of bagasse in supercritical water media

Abstract

Bagasse as a real biomass was converted to hydrogen rich gas via catalytic supercritical water gasification process. To find the effect of Cu on selectivity of products, Cu promoted Ni-γAl₂O₃ catalysts were prepared with 1 to 20wt% Ni and 0.5 to 10wt% Cu loadings via impregnation method. Catalysts were characterized by ICP, BET, XRD, H₂ chemisorption and TEM technique as well CHNS analysis was carried out for elemental analysis of bagasse. The biomass supercritical water gasification process was performed in a batch micro-reactor at 400^oC and 240 bars. The total gas yield increased with increasing in Ni and Cu loadings up to 15wt% Ni and 7.5 wt% Cu and became approximately constant. The catalytic process increased hydrogen yield to 9.5, CO yield to 2.2 and light hydrocarbons to 0.59 mmol/g bagasse. Total H₂ selectivity (THS) ratio increased with increasing in Ni and Cu loading reached a maximum at 15%wt Ni and 7.5%wt Cu and then began to decrease.<span id="transmark" style="display: none; width: 0px; height: 0px;"></span>