Optimization studies for hydrothermal gasification of partially burnt wood from forest fires for hydrogen-rich syngas production using Taguchi experimental design

Forest fires significantly affect the wildlife, vegetation, composition and structure of the forests. This study explores the potential of partially burnt wood recovered in the aftermath of a recent Canadian forest fire incident as a feedstock for generating hydrogen-rich syngas through hydrothermal gasification. Partially burnt wood was gasified in hydrothermal conditions to study the influence of process temperature (300-500 degrees C), residence time (15-45 min), feed concentration (10-20 wt%) and biomass particle size (0.13 mm and 0.8 mm) using the statistical Taguchi method. Maximum hydrogen yield and total gas yield of 5.26 mmol/g and 11.88 mmol/g, respectively were obtained under optimized process conditions at 500 degrees C in 45 min with 10 wt% feed concentration using biomass particle size of 0.13 mm. The results from the mean of hydrogen yield show that the contribution of each experimental factors was in the order of temperature > feed concentration > residence time > biomass particle size. Other gaseous products obtained at optimum conditions include CO2 (3.43 mmol/g), CH4 (3.13 mmol/g) and C-2-C-4 hydrocarbons (0.06 mmol/g). (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the potential of utilizing partially burnt wood recovered from forest fires for generating hydrogen-rich syngas through hydrothermal gasification. Optimum conditions for maximum hydrogen yield and total gas yield were determined, with temperature being the most significant factor followed by feed concentration, residence time, and biomass particle size. Other gaseous products obtained at optimal conditions include CO2, CH4, and C-2-C-4 hydrocarbons.