Hydrogen synthesis from biomass pyrolysis with in situ carbon dioxide capture using calcium oxide

Hydrogen (H₂) and other gases (CO₂, CO, CH₄, H₂O) produced during the pyrolysis of cellulose, xylan, lignin and pine (Pinus radiata), with and without added calcium oxide (CaO), were studied using thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry (TG-MS) and thermodynamic modeling. CaO improved the H₂ yield from all feedstocks, and had the most significant effect on xylan. The weight loss of and gas evolution from the feedstocks were measured over the temperature range 150-950 °C in order to investigate the principle mechanism(s) of H₂ formation. Without added CaO, little H₂ was produced during primary pyrolysis; rather, most H₂ was generated from tar-cracking, reforming, and char-decomposition reactions at higher temperatures. When CaO was added, significant H₂ was produced during primary pyrolysis, as the water-gas shift reaction was driven toward H₂ formation. CaO also increased the formation of H₂ from reforming and char gasification reactions. Finally, CaO increased the extent of tar cracking and char decomposition, and lowered their onset temperatures. The production of H₂ from pine over the course of pyrolysis could be modeled by summing the H₂ evolutions from the separate biomass components in relevant proportions.     

Comparison of nutrient composition in kernel of tenera and clonal materials of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Nutritive information about oil palm kernel is scarce, especially on the composition of sugars and water-soluble vitamins. This study aims to evaluate both tenera and clonal materials for their proximate composition, fatty acid profile, amino acid composition, sugar, mineral and water-soluble vitamin contents. The tenera material had a higher moisture, fat and fibre content as compared to the clonal material, whereas protein, carbohydrate and ash content were higher in the clonal material. The major fatty acid constituents in palm kernel oil were lauric acid, myristic acid and oleic acid. The palm kernel proteins were deficient in lysine and tryptophan but rich in glutamic acid, arginine and aspartic acid. Sucrose was the most abundant sugar in palm kernel. The mineral analysis of the samples showed high levels of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and manganese, while niacin was the water-soluble vitamin present at the highest concentrations in palm kernel.