Publication: Hydrogen-Rich Syngas and Biochar Production by Non-Catalytic Valorization of Date Palm Seeds
Date
2022
Authors
Sait H.H.
Hussain A.
Bassyouni M.
Ali I.
Kanthasamy R.
Ayodele B.V.
Elhenawy Y.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
MDPI
Abstract
Pyrolysis has been demonstrated to be a highly effective thermochemical process for converting complex biomaterials into biochar and syngas rich in hydrogen. The pyrolysis of mixed date palm seeds from Saudi Arabia was conducted using a fixed-bed pyrolyzer that was custom made for the purpose. The influence of the pyrolysis temperature (200�1000?C) on the various physicochemical parameters of the date seed biochar generated through the pyrolysis process and the hydrogen-rich syngas was investigated. Proximate and ultimate analyses indicated a high carbon content in the lignocellulosic constituents such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Using energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, it was discovered that the elemental composition of biochar changes with the pyrolysis temperature. The date seeds pyrolyzed at 800?C were found to have the maximum carbon concentration, with 97.99% of the total carbon content. The analysis of the biochar indicated a high concentration of carbon, as well as magnesium and potassium. There was a potential for the production of hydrogen-rich syngas, which increased with the pyrolysis temperature. At 1000?C, the highest hydrogen and carbon monoxide compositions of 40 mol% and 32 mol%, respectively, were obtained. The kinetic data of the date seed pyrolysis were fitted using linearized model-free methods, such as Friedman, Flynn�Wall�Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger�Akahira�Sunose (KAS), as well as non-linear methods such as Vyazovkin and advanced Vyazovkin. The activation energies obtained from Friedman, FWO, and KAS varied in the range of 30�75 kJ/mol, 30�65 kJ/mol, and 30�40 kJ/mol, respectively, while those of Vyazovkin and advanced Vyazovkin were found in the range of 25�30 kJ/mol, and 30�70 kJ/mol, respectively. The analysis showed that the FWO and KAS models show smaller variation compared to Friedman. � 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Description
Activation energy; Carbon monoxide; Cellulose; Pyrolysis; Biochar; Biomass valorizations; Date palm; Date palm seed; Date seeds; Flynn-Wall-Ozawa; Hydrogen-rich syngas; Model free kinetics; Pyrolysis temperature; Syn gas; Synthesis gas; Activation Energy; Analysis; Carbon Monoxide; Cellulose; Hydrogen; Pyrolysis; Temperature