Production of H2- and CO-rich syngas from the CO2 gasification of cow manure over (Sr/Mg)-promoted-Ni/Al2O3 catalysts

The valorization of cow manure (CM), as bio-waste, under a CO₂ atmosphere could be an attractive strategy for tackling the environmental problems related to waste management and CO₂ emission and producing valuable syngas. For this purpose, highly loaded Ni–Al₂O₃ catalysts with alkaline-earth metals (Mg and Sr) were synthesized and applied to the gasification of CM under CO₂. The lowest yields of bio-oil (16.98 wt %) and coke (0.34 wt %) and the highest yield of syngas (55.09 wt %) were obtained from the catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons when Sr was incorporated into Ni/Al₂O₃ (SN-AO). The highest selectivity for H₂ (34.23 vol %) and CO (37.16 vol %) were obtained applying SN-AO followed by Mg-promoted Ni/Al₂O₃ (MN-AO) and Ni/Al₂O₃ (N-AO) catalysts. With increasing gasification temperature from 750 °C to 850 °C, the syngas yield (from 55.09 to 70.17 wt %) and H₂ concentration (from 34.23 to 38.03 vol %) increased considerably because of the endothermic gasification process. The yield and selectivity of syngas (H₂ and CO) increased under CO₂ compared to those obtained under N₂, indicating the high potential of CO₂ for the thermal decomposition and dehydrogenation of the volatile matter.