Solubilization of biomass and gasification of the biomass hydrolysates in atmospheric conditions

In this study, solubilizations of lignocellulosic biomass materials (kenaf and sorghum) were carried out using various solvents at different temperature treatments. The hydrolysis yield increased 10% more by reaching upto 82% by performing the solubilization process under the solvents. The compositions of the hydrolysates were determined by GC-MS, TOC and HPLC and the effect of the hydrolysate composition on gasification performance was examined. Biomass hydrolysates, glycerol and waste water were used as feed solutions in gasification process. The gasification was performed by catalytic vapor-phase reforming (AVPR) technique at 230-290 °C and at atmospheric pressure in the continuous system that was firstly applied by the present study. The hydrogen yield obtained in AVPR was found to be two times more than aqueous-phase reforming (APR) technique. Comparison of activities of alumina, silica and activated carbon supported metal catalysts on gasification process were investigated. The catalysts were prepared by deposition of Pt and Ru metals on relevant supports by impregnation of the water-soluble metal salts that followed the reduction process. Activated carbon supported metal catalysts exhibited better hydrogen selectivity compared to other supports studied. Catalytic gasification of the residue leftover after hydrolysis process was also tested at different temperatures (400, 500, 600, 700 °C) by AVPR.