Abstract:
Increasing energy demands, stringent regulations on fossil fuel-based emissions, and concerns
related to national energy-security make it imperative to search for alternative energy sources.
Biomass-based renewable sources, such as wood, agricultural residues, municipal solid wastes,
etc., are attractive alternatives to petroleum-based energy and chemicals. These are abundant,
biodegradable with reduced greenhouse emissions, and offer diversity. Due to stringent policy
on emission reduction, biomass has become a center of attention worldwide as a source of
green energy. Despite its potentials as fuel and raw materials, very few studies on biomass
characterization have been reported in Bangladesh. Municipal solid waste (MSW), one of most
promising biomass resources, has totally been unutilized mainly because of insufficient
information on local MSW. Only proper characterization and elemental analysis can ensure
accurate assessment of energy potential. Moreover, computational studies such as
thermodynamic equilibrium models to predict syngas composition utilizing characterization
data would facilitate the assessment of potential in terms of energy and biochemical more
accurately. To address this issues, a detailed characterization study on local biomass has been
performed. Proximate and Ultimate analysis of MSW and almost fifty other major
conventional and unconventional biomass resources have been performed and their heating
values are calculated as well. Suitability of different empirical correlations of heating value
have also been assessed by comparing with the experimental values. Since, the ash content of
biomass is a critically important aspect of gasification process, ash from local MSW was
analyzed for elemental composition. To enhance the study further, thermodynamic equilibrium
models were simulated in Aspen Plus to predict syngas composition utilizing characterization
data. Robustness of the models were evaluated through sensitivity analysis as well. This study
offers a promising avenue for future research and development regarding the utilization of local
biomass in Bangladesh.
