Simulation of Gasification with In-situ Carbon Dioxide Adsorption of Empty Fruit Bunch into Hydrogen

Biomass has the potential to become a significant renewable source of fuel whereas hydrogen is an attractive clean energy carrier with low environmental impact and versatility in usage. The potential to convert biomass into hydrogen may favour gasification compared to pyrolysis if the former is coupled with in-situ CO2 capture. Furthermore, Malaysia as an agricultural country has abundant oil palm wastes, namely empty fruit bunch (EFB) that can be utilized for hydrogen production. Hence, this work focuses on the flowsheet development of the production of hydrogen via gasification of EFB with in-situ adsorption of CO2, based on conceptual approaches and available kinetics data. The process flowsheet simulation is performed using iCON, PETRONAS process simulation software. Using the simulation, for temperature range of 600 to
1000C and steam-to-biomass ratio of to 0.1 to 1.0, the optimal operating conditions are determined as 800C
and 0.6, respectively. The results are further extended to incorporate a preliminary economic feasibility of the
process that shows positive economic potential level 1.