Catalytic pyrolysis for upgrading silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis) and carbon dioxide into flammable gases

This study proposes a sustainable hydrogen production platform using a fast-growing and inedible biomass waste, silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis). Pyrolysis of silver grass waste (SGW) was investigated using CO2 as a co-feedstock, focusing on the distribution of hydrogen in different products. When the catalyst was absent, hydrogen element distribution to H-2 gas during pyrolysis of SGW at 800 degrees C reached 10 wt%. During pyrolysis with the Ni/SiO2 catalyst, 60.3 wt% of hydrogen was converted into H-2 gas, and 7.3 wt% of hydrogen was distributed in gaseous hydrocarbons at 600 degrees C. Owing to the addition of CO2, CO production was promoted by the catalytic conversion of CO2 and volatile matter. Notably, CO2 has been proven to be a useful reactant for producing value-added CO. Thus, catalytic pyrolysis in the presence of CO2 can be considered as a renewable approach to produce flammable gases with the mitigation of CO2 emissions.

Automated summary

This study proposes a sustainable hydrogen production platform using a fast-growing and inedible biomass waste, silver grass (Miscanthus sinensis). The research finds that silver grass waste can be efficiently converted into gases suitable for hydrogen production with the presence of a suitable catalyst, and the addition of CO2 can further enhance the production of CO.