An investigation on the impact of demineralization of lignocellulosic corncob biomass using leaching agents for its util
- PDF / 2,288,358 Bytes
- 7 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 19 Downloads / 174 Views
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
An investigation on the impact of demineralization of lignocellulosic corncob biomass using leaching agents for its utilization in industrial boilers Muhammad Hassan Zafar 1 & Mohsin Kazmi 1,2 & A. N. Tabish 1,2 M. Usman Rafique 1
&
Chaudhry Haider Ali 1,2 & Fahim Gohar 1 &
Received: 6 April 2019 / Revised: 30 September 2019 / Accepted: 7 October 2019 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2019
Abstract Biomass is considered a suitable coal alternative energy source because of its lower net emissions and acceptable heating values. The direct combustion of biomass in an industrial boiler can cause slagging and fouling of the boiler tubes because of the high content of alkali and alkaline earth metals (AAEMs) such as Na, Ca, Mg, and K present in the biomass. These minerals especially Na and K lower the melting point of ash and hinder complete combustion of the biomass. To mitigate such issues, biomass valorization methods are recommended out of which demineralization using acidic and basic reagents is notable. In this study, the effect of HCl, HNO3, and NaOH reagents on the physiochemical and thermal properties of corncob is investigated. Results show that the demineralization significantly affects the physiochemical and thermal characteristics of the biomass. Percent ash reduction is found highest (92.81%) when biomass is treated with 0.3 M HCl. However, the acidic treatment also dissolves cellulose and hemicellulose which degrades the thermal characteristics of the biomass. Treatment with NaOH is found less effective in removing AAEM; however, it increases the heating value of biomass by 11.02% and decreases the sulfur content by 68.89%. Keywords Corncob . Leaching agents . Demineralization . Desulfurization . Energy densification . Deashing
1 Introduction We have been relying on fossil fuels for power generation for decades. Presently, prices of fossil fuels are higher and unstable because of their geopolitical importance. After the Paris agreement which states that each state should contribute to decreasing the global temperature by 2 °C [1], various plans to phase out coal-based power plants and switch from nonrenewable to renewable energy sources are being discussed and implemented at least in the developed countries, whereas developing countries are also opting multiple initiatives for climate control and reductions in CO 2 emissions. For * A. N. Tabish [email protected] 1
Center for Energy Research and Development (CERAD), University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, KSK Campus, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
2
Department of Chemical, Polymer, & Composite Material Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, KSK Campus, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
example, Pakistan has planted over a billion trees in the country’s northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the wake of climate change and sets up a goal of planting 100 billion trees more across the country by 2023 [2]. Meanwhile, the government has also planned the installation of new coalbased power plant
Data Loading...
