Hydrogen-rich syngas production from palm kernel shells (PKS) biomass on a downdraft allothermal gasifier using steam as a gasifying agent

The present study investigates the steam gasification of palm kernel shells (PKS) for hydrogen-rich N-2-free syngas production in a pilot-scale atmospheric downdraft allothermal gasifier. The feedstock material characterization, description of the gasifier design, auxiliary systems, operating conditions, and evaluation of the operating methodology for obtaining fuel gas are presented. The gasification equipment was tested under gasification temperatures between 800 and 950 degrees C and steam-biomass mass ratios between 0.2 and 1.2. The maximum H-2 generation is achieved with a gasification temperature of 850 degrees C, steam/biomass ratio of 0.85, particle sizes of 2-3 mm, and biomass feed of 57.1 kg/h. The volume fraction of H2+ CO can reach 80.4%, and maximum cold gas efficiency of 80% with an average lower calorific value of 11.5 MJ/Nm(3)

Automated summary

This study investigates the steam gasification of palm kernel shells for hydrogen-rich N2-free syngas production in a pilot-scale atmospheric downdraft allothermal gasifier. Results show that maximum H2 generation and cold gas efficiency can be achieved under specific conditions.