(536c) Microwave-Assisted Biochar Gasification: Effect of Metal Promoted Fe3O4, Water Cofeeding, and Biochar Composition on Syngas Production

The utilization of microwave-assisted gasification for biomass/plastic is a promising route toward clean energy production, contributing to a reduction in carbon footprint. This method facilitates the conversion of biomass into syngas with enhanced hydrogen (H₂) yield, surpassing conventional heating approaches. However, the gasification of biochar, a byproduct resulting from the initial rapid pyrolysis of biomass, appears as a rate-determining step in biomass gasification. To ensure high conversion efficiency, particularly in pilot or larger scales, the maintenance of high biochar reactivity is essential, which can be achieved by introducing catalysts to minimize biochar formation. Furthermore, given the susceptibility of biochar to microwave heating, gaining a comprehensive understanding of its behavior in the presence of microwave-active catalysts under microwave conditions is crucial to obtain valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms, thereby improving overall biomass gasification efficiency. In the previous study, magnetite (Fe₃O₄) was selected for microwave-assisted gasification for biomass/plastic due to its dual role as a catalyst and microwave absorber and demonstrated considerably enhanced hydrogen production. Herein, Fe₃O₄ is rationally modified with metal promoters and their synergistic effect toward biochar gasification performance is investigated. The data shows that metal promoted Fe₃O₄ shows a higher syngas yield than that of pristine Fe₃O₄ in biochar gasification. Additionally, the impact of water cofeeding and biochar derived from different biomass sources with varying compositions toward the performance outcomes are examined.

Figure 1. (a) Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) of Pt-promoted Fe₃O₄; (b) Correlation between ash content in various biomass samples versus the passive and active volatile temperatures.