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Investigating the feasibility of valorizing residual char from biomass gasification as catalyst support in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

Author

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  • Benedetti, Vittoria
  • Ail, Snehesh Shivananda
  • Patuzzi, Francesco
  • Cristofori, Davide
  • Rauch, Reinhard
  • Baratieri, Marco

Abstract

In spite of its remarkable properties and similarities to more traditional activated carbon (AC), biomass gasification char is considered a worthless material and treated as an industrial waste. However, similar to AC, char could be valorized in several applications. This study investigates the application of char as catalyst support for Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis. For this purpose, char derived from a biomass gasifier operating in South Tyrol, Italy, was collected, characterized, acid treated and used as support for the catalysts preparation. Cobalt and iron were used as active metals and impregnated on char with a 10% metal loading (10Co and 10Fe). Catalysts were characterized through different techniques. FT tests were run in a fixed bed reactor operating at T = 240 °C, p = 1.6 MPa, H2/CO = 2, WHSV = 3600 mL g−1 h−1.10Fe was also tested at 250 °C. Catalysts performances in terms of CO conversion, CH4 and CO2 selectivity, and product distribution were analyzed and compared. The highest CO conversion (26%) was measured for 10Fe at 250 °C. For 10Fe, C1 - C22 hydrocarbons were detected, while for 10Co also C22 - C24. Only production of C13 - C19 was superior for 10Fe than 10Co.

Suggested Citation

  • Benedetti, Vittoria & Ail, Snehesh Shivananda & Patuzzi, Francesco & Cristofori, Davide & Rauch, Reinhard & Baratieri, Marco, 2020. "Investigating the feasibility of valorizing residual char from biomass gasification as catalyst support in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P1), pages 884-894.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:147:y:2020:i:p1:p:884-894
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.09.050
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Swain, Pravat K. & Das, L.M. & Naik, S.N., 2011. "Biomass to liquid: A prospective challenge to research and development in 21st century," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4917-4933.
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    1. Ali Abdelaal & Vittoria Benedetti & Audrey Villot & Francesco Patuzzi & Claire Gerente & Marco Baratieri, 2023. "Innovative Pathways for the Valorization of Biomass Gasification Char: A Systematic Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-24, May.
    2. Xia, Qi & Zhao, Jianguo & Chen, Chen & Jin, Weiya, 2023. "Modeling of CO2/H2O Co-electrolysis using solar-driven SOEC coupled with ammonia-based chemical heat pump," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 128-137.
    3. Douvartzides, Savvas & Charisiou, Nikolaos D. & Wang, Wen & Papadakis, Vagelis G. & Polychronopoulou, Kyriaki & Goula, Maria A., 2022. "Catalytic fast pyrolysis of agricultural residues and dedicated energy crops for the production of high energy density transportation biofuels. Part I: Chemical pathways and bio-oil upgrading," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 483-505.
    4. Miaomiao Zhu & Qi Wang & Shuang Wang, 2025. "Recent Advances and Future Perspectives in Catalyst Development for Efficient and Sustainable Biomass Gasification: A Comprehensive Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-28, August.
    5. Yang, Shiliang & Fan, Feihu & Hu, Jianhang & Wang, Hua, 2020. "Particle-scale evaluation of the biomass steam-gasification process in a conical spouted bed gasifier," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 844-860.
    6. Huang, Hongyi & Liu, Jingyong & Liu, Hui & Evrendilek, Fatih & Zhang, Gang & He, Yao, 2022. "Turning the co-combustion synergy of textile dyeing sludge and waste biochar into emission-to-bottom slag pollution controls toward a circular economy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 760-777.
    7. Teimouri, Zahra & Abatzoglou, Nicolas & Dalai, Ajay K., 2023. "Design of a renewable catalyst support derived from biomass with optimized textural features for fischer tropsch synthesis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 1096-1109.
    8. Zhao, Xiqiang & Zhou, Xing & Wang, Guoxiu & Zhou, Ping & Wang, Wenlong & Song, Zhanlong, 2022. "Evaluating the effect of torrefaction on the pyrolysis of biomass and the biochar catalytic performance on dry reforming of methane," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 313-325.
    9. Patuzzi, Francesco & Basso, Daniele & Vakalis, Stergios & Antolini, Daniele & Piazzi, Stefano & Benedetti, Vittoria & Cordioli, Eleonora & Baratieri, Marco, 2021. "State-of-the-art of small-scale biomass gasification systems: An extensive and unique monitoring review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    10. Pio, D.T. & Tarelho, L.A.C., 2021. "Industrial gasification systems (>3 MWth) for bioenergy in Europe: Current status and future perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 145(C).

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