Optimization of thermal co-processing of coal/sludges for syngas, NH3, and H2SO4 production with straw hydrolysis
摘要
This work explores the potential of waste materials as a source of renewable energy and valuable products through co-processing. It discusses the mixing, blending, co-pyrolysis, and co-gasification of low-rank coal (LRC), fecal sludge, and wastewater sludges, comprising domestic wastewater sludge (DOM), commercial wastewater sludge (COM), and industrial wastewater sludge (IND), to produce synthesis gas, NH3, and H2SO4. The study examines and compares the syngas yields of each sample from the co-pyrolysis and co-gasification processes, while considering the effects of temperature and pressure at the first process and then evaluating the sensitivity analysis of the process with steam-to-biomass ratio and equivalence ratio during the second process through the methodological approach using ASPEN Plus. The simulation showed a higher gas yield than experiments (with an increase in N2 yield at 500 °C), highlighting the benefit of co-pyrolysis. This modeling approach could function as a method for selecting samples based on temperature and pressure. The study found that co-gasification showed better syngas yields compared to co-pyrolysis. It was observed that some specimens are deficient in CO2 and CH4 yields at the co-gasification process. It also assessed the formation mechanisms of NH3 and H2SO4, as well as the utilization of the H2SO4 produced through straw’s acid hydrolysis. The LRC with fecal sludge and DOM/IND with LRC/COM produced the highest yields of H2SO4 and NH3 at 5.26% and 69.52% respectively. The D-xylose formed from the hydrolysis is above 40%. The study suggests that co-processing waste materials for renewable energy and valuable products is promising.