Catalysis Today
Catalysis Today
4 years ago

Lewis acid catalyzed gasification of humic acid in supercritical water

Lewis acid catalyzed gasification of humic acid in supercritical water
Humic acid is a model compound of sewage sludge that occurs as a result of decomposing organic matter. Supercritical water gasification of humic acid was performed at a temperature, feed concentration and reaction time of 600°C, 15wt% and 75min, respectively with variable concentrations (5–15wt%) of Lewis acid metal chloride catalysts. The non-catalytic gasification of humic acid resulted in H2 yield (0.79mol/kg), total gas yield (1.59mol/kg), carbon gasification efficiency (2.2%), H2 gasification efficiency (10%) and lower heating value of 5.1kJ/Nm3. In contrast, 15wt% of Lewis acid catalysts loading significantly improved H2 yields (2.79–11.03mol/kg), total gas yields (4.72–15.44mol/kg), carbon gasification efficiency (5.7–12.4%), H2 gasification efficiency (40.9–141.6%), energy recovery (8.8–33.79%) and lower heating value of gas products (22.4–72.3kJ/Nm3). The activity of Lewis acids was in the order: CaCl2 <ZnCl2 <FeCl3 <CuCl2 <NiCl2 <AlCl3. The addition of Lewis acid catalysts led to an increment in H2 yield due to ring-opening reaction and intermediates gasification. High catalyst loading promoted the degradation of humic acid with greater gas yields and fragmented surface morphology of char residues. The liquid effluents from Lewis acid catalyzed gasification of humic acid contained considerable amounts of aromatic and aliphatic components.

Publisher URL: www.sciencedirect.com/science

DOI: S0920586117300792

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