Characterization and assessment of the potential of local biomass as feedstock of synthetic fuels and chemicals

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.