Biohydrogen production from furniture waste via catalytic gasification in air over Ni-loaded Ultra-stable Y-type zeolite

This is the first study on air gasification of furniture waste (FW) over Ni-loaded ultra-stable Y-type zeolites (NiUSY) to produce biohydrogen. Effects of SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of USY (5, 30, and 60), Ni loading (5, 10, 20, and 30 wt %) onto the support, and reaction temperature (700, 750, and 800 ?) on catalytic air gasification were investigated. The Ni-USY(5) led to a relatively higher gas yield (72.19 wt%) and higher volume percent of H-2 (31.94 vol%) and CO (34.57 vol%) and lower CH4 and C-2-C-4 yields than the Ni-USY(30) and Ni-USY(60). An increase in the Ni loading onto USY(5) support from 5 wt% to 30 wt% did not affect the yield of gas. The concentrations of H-2 (41.16 vol%) and CO (38.62 vol%) increased as increasing Ni loading from 5 wt% to 20 wt %. The H(2 )and CO concentrations significantly decreased as the Ni loading became over 20 wt%. Increasing the temperature from 700 to 800 ? increased the yields of H-2 and CO and decreased the yields of CO2, CH4, and C-2-C-4. The contents of harmful compounds (e.g., benzene derivatives, phenolics, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in liquid product were suppressed when using the Ni-USY(5). The air gasification with the Ni-USY catalysts could offer as an emerging technology to transform FW to H-2-rich syngas with low contents of harmful pollutants.

Automated summary

This study investigated the air gasification of furniture waste using nickel-loaded ultra-stable Y-type zeolites to produce biohydrogen. The effects of various factors, such as SiO2/Al2O3 ratio, nickel loading, and reaction temperature, on the catalytic gasification process were examined. The results showed that a nickel loading of 5wt% on the zeolite catalyst led to higher gas yield and hydrogen concentration, as well as lower concentrations of harmful compounds. By optimizing the reaction conditions, it is possible to transform furniture waste into hydrogen-rich syngas with reduced pollution levels.