Binary Blends Versus Ternary Blends in Steam Cogasification by Means of TGA-MS: Reactivity and H2/CO Ratio

Cogasification of olive pomace, almond shell, and petcoke was carried out by thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry. Binary and ternary blends were compared in terms of their reactivity, outlet-gas emissions, H-2/CO ratios of effluents, and synergistic effect. Synergistic and antagonistic effects were observed with cogasification of blends, but that depended on the ratios of raw materials in the feed. In this regard, the higher the biomass content, the greater the weight loss, the higher the decomposition rate and, thus, the higher the gasification reactivity. Moreover, the synergistic effect on the gasification of the raw materials did not show a clear trend in gas emissions. In general, the higher the biomass content, the greater the H-2 and CO2 yields, and the less CO was released. On comparing binary and ternary blends, it was seen that the former presented better results in most parameters studied.