Analysis of Biomass Ash Fusion Behaviour and Characterization for Industrial Applications /

Abstract

To reduce the greenhouse emissions, the utilization of biomass is proficient path for producing power and its impact on accumulative carbon footprint. Generation of power from these sources (biomass) produces residue majorly in the form of ash. However, as demand of power production rises, the utilization of the biomass as feedstock increases resultantly the quantity of residue (ash) rise in power plants. Formation of the ash in biomass power plants nurtures number of problems exclusively low fusion temperature, agglomeration, fouling, handling of ash and its utilization for energy applications. In this study, the biomass ash was investigated for ash fusion analysis, characterization and its utilization as a catalyst in methane decomposition. In mainstream, biomass bottom ash (BBA) and biomass fly ash (BFA) fusion temperatures were systematically determined. The BBA and BFA were modified using laboratory synthesized CeO2 nanoparticles to enhance the fusion temperature. Moreover, the BBA, BFA and modified CeO2-BBA/BFA samples were characterized by (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen-Sulphur) CHN-S, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis to investigate the physicochemical properties and its suitability for the catalysis applications. The detailed characterization inferred that BFA has significant potential in improving the ash fusion temperature and catalysis due to the presence of metal oxides such as Fe2O3, SiO2 and CaO. Furthermore, the BFA is employed as catalyst support for cobalt (Co) impregnation. Co loaded BFA was employed for methane (CH4) decomposition for hydrogen production in a fixed bed reactor. The Co/BFA proved with stable catalytic activity of more than 330 min on stream with optimum H2 yield of 29%. The direct employment of biomass ash as a catalyst shows a potential in further catalytic applications.