Bioh2, Heat and Power from Palm Empty Fruit Bunch via Pyrolysis-Autothermal Reforming: Plant Simulation, Experiments, and CO2 Mitigation

Empty fruit bunch, a significant by-product of the palm oil industry, represents tremendous and hitherto neglected renewable energy resource for many countries in South East Asia Sub-Saharan Africa. The design simulation plant producing pure hydrogen through autothermal reforming (ATR) empty bunch (PEFB) was carried out based on successful laboratory experiments core process. bio-oil feed to ATR stage represented by surrogate mixture 11 organic compounds shown be main constituents PEFB from previous work, whose combined elemental composition volatility determined as close possible that real bio-oil. confirmed H2 yields equilibrium predictions were achievable using an in-house synthetised Rh-Al2O3 catalyst packed bed reactor. Initial sensitivity analysis revealed molar steam carbon ratio should not exceed 3 optimal production plant. An overall efficiency 39.4% obtained initial design, this value improved 67.5% applying pinch enhance integration heat design. proposed renders CO2 savings about 0.56 kg per raw processed. accompanying experimental studies together make strong case possibility polygeneration H2, heat, power otherwise discarded agricultural waste.