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Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass for Syngas Production: Current Status and Future Trends

Author

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  • Ghulamullah Maitlo

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 74800, Sindh, Pakistan)

  • Imran Ali

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi 74000, Sindh, Pakistan)

  • Kashif Hussain Mangi

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Quaid e Awam University of Engineering Science and Technology, Nawabshah 67480, Sindh, Pakistan)

  • Safdar Ali

    (Asian Institute of Fashion Design, Iqra University, Karachi 75500, Sindh, Pakistan)

  • Hubdar Ali Maitlo

    (Department of Energy and Environment Engineering, Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi 74800, Sindh, Pakistan
    Key Laboratory of Pollution Process and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China)

  • Imran Nazir Unar

    (Department of Chemical Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro 76062, Sindh, Pakistan)

  • Abdul Majeed Pirzada

    (Department of Environmental Sciences, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi 74000, Sindh, Pakistan)

Abstract

The thermochemical conversion of different feedstocks is a technology capable of reducing the amount of biowaste materials produced. In addition, the gasification of feedstock using steam as a gasifying agent also produces hydrogen, which is a clean energy fuel. This article aimed to encapsulate the current status of biowaste gasification and to explain, in detail, the advantages and limitations of gasification technologies. In this review paper, different gasifying agents such as steam, air, and oxygen, as well as their effects on the quality of syngas production, are discussed. In addition, the effects of reactor configuration and different operating parameters, such as temperature, pressure, equivalence ratio, and incorporation of a catalyst, as well as their effects on the ratio of H 2 /CO, LHV, syngas yield, and tar production, were critically evaluated. Although gasification is a sustainable and ecologically sound biomass utilization technology, tar formation is the main problem in the biomass gasification process. Tar can condense in the reactor, and clog and contaminate equipment. It has been shown that an optimized gasifier and a high-activity catalyst can effectively reduce tar formation. However, key biowaste treatment technologies and concepts must first be improved and demonstrated at the market level to increase stakeholder confidence. Gasification can be the driving force of this integration, effectively replacing fossil fuels with produced gas. In addition, support policies are usually needed to make the integration of biomass gasification technology into the industry profitable with fully functional gasification plants. Therefore, to address such issues, this study focused on addressing these issues and an overview of gasification concepts.

Suggested Citation

  • Ghulamullah Maitlo & Imran Ali & Kashif Hussain Mangi & Safdar Ali & Hubdar Ali Maitlo & Imran Nazir Unar & Abdul Majeed Pirzada, 2022. "Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass for Syngas Production: Current Status and Future Trends," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-30, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:5:p:2596-:d:756976
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    3. Saaida Khlifi & Marzouk Lajili & Patrick Perré & Victor Pozzobon, 2022. "A Numerical Study of Turbulent Combustion of a Lignocellulosic Gas Mixture in an Updraft Fixed Bed Reactor," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-18, December.
    4. Rabah, Ali A., 2022. "Livestock manure availability and syngas production: A case of Sudan," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    5. Mahmoud G. Hemeida & Ashraf M. Hemeida & Tomonobu Senjyu & Dina Osheba, 2022. "Renewable Energy Resources Technologies and Life Cycle Assessment: Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-36, December.
    6. Shadbahr, Jalil & Ebadian, Mahmood & Gonzales-Calienes, Giovanna & Kannangara, Miyuru & Ahmadi, Leila & Bensebaa, Farid, 2022. "Impact of waste management and conversion technologies on cost and carbon footprint - Case studies in rural and urban cities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).

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