Ce/Pumice and Ni/Pumice as heterogeneous catalysts for syngas production from biomass gasification

This work presents a study of synthesis and characterization of catalysts-based cerium and nickel supported on the pumice stone (Ce/Pumice and Ni/Pumice) to be used in the gasification process of an invasive species present in the Canary Islands, such as Pennisetum setaceum to obtain syngas. Specifically, the effect of the metal impregnated on the pumice, and the effect of catalyst on the gasification process was studied. For this purpose, the composition of the gas was determined and the results obtained were compared with those obtained in non-catalytic thermochemical processes. Gasification tests were performed using a simultaneous thermal analyzer coupled with a mass spectrometer, providing a detailed analysis of the gases released during the process. The results showed that during the catalytic gasification process of the Pennisetum setaceum, the gases produced appear at lower temperatures in the catalytic process that in the non-catalytic process. Specifically, H₂ appears at 640.42 °C and 641.84 °C when Ce/pumice and Ni/pumice were used as catalyst, respectively, compared to 697.41 °C for the non-catalytic process. Moreover, the reactivity at 50 % of char conversion for the catalytic process (0.34 and 0.38 min^-1 for Ce/pumice and Ni/pumice, respectively) was higher than for the non-catalytic process (0.28 min^-1), indicating that the incorporation of Ce and Ni on the pumitic material increases the gasification rate of the char compared to the pumitic support. Catalytic biomass gasification is an innovative technology that can provide new opportunities for research and development of renewable energy technologies, as well as for the creation of green jobs.