H₂ production from co-pyrolysis/gasification of waste plastics and biomass under novel catalyst Ni-CaO-C

Energy security and environmental pollution have been important topics over the world. With depletion of traditional fossil fuels, it is necessary to find new kinds of substitute energies that are green and renewable. Co-pyrolysis/gasification of mixture of waste (i.e. plastics) and biomass is a potential solution and H₂ is an ideal energy carrier with wide range of use. This paper aims to develop a new catalyst Ni-CaO-C and to examine its performance under optimal operating conditions of pyrolysis/gasification of plastics and biomass for H₂ production. Experimental studies adjusting Ni loads and support ratios of catalyst were performed to explore the catalytic activity and CO₂ adsorption capability of the new catalyst. Operating conditions such as feedstock ratio, pyrolysis temperature, reforming temperature and water injection flowrate were also examined experimentally to find optimal operating conditions. Consequently, experiment results indicated that high H₂ production (86.74 mol% and 115.33 mmol/g) and low CO₂ concentration (7.31 mol%) in the gaseous products can be achieved with new catalyst Ni-CaO-C under the optimal operating conditions. Therefore, this study points to effective new approaches to increase H₂ production from the pyrolysis/gasification of waste plastics and biomass.