Conversion of Post-Refining Waste MONG to Gaseous Fuel in a Rotary Gasifier

Andrzej Sitka, Piotr Szulc, Daniel Smykowski, Beata Anwajler (), Tomasz Tietze and Wiesław Jodkowski
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Andrzej Sitka: Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
Piotr Szulc: Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
Daniel Smykowski: Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
Beata Anwajler: Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
Tomasz Tietze: Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland
Wiesław Jodkowski: Faculty of Mechanical and Power Engineering, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspianskiego 27, 50-370 Wroclaw, Poland

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 10, 1-13

Abstract: Biodiesel manufacturing frequently employs sustainable materials like soybeans, microorganisms, palm extract, jatropha plant, and recycled frying oils. The expansion of biodiesel manufacturing has escalated the volume of waste byproducts, encompassing glycerin and non-glycerin organic matter (MONG), jointly known as raw glycerin. MONG is characterized by a low calorific value, a high autoignition temperature, and significant viscosity at room temperature. As a waste product, it negatively affects the natural environment due to the lack of viable disposal methods. Hence, there is a need for its conversion into high-calorific gaseous fuel with significantly less environmental impact. One of the methods for converting MONG into gaseous fuel is the pyrolysis process. This study describes the pyrolytic conversion of MONG conducted on a test stand consisting of a rotating chamber with a shell filled with liquid lead as a heating medium. Based on the measurements and balance calculations, the amount of heat required to preserve the autothermal process was determined. The calorific value and composition of the pyrolytic gas were measured, revealing that 70% of the gas involves compounds characterized by a high calorific value. As a result, the calorific value of dry, purified gas equals 35.07 MJ/kg. A life cycle assessment has been conducted, in order to determine if the produced gaseous fuel matches sustainable development criteria. MONG-based gas is a sustainable replacement of, e.g., natural gas, lignite, or hard coal; however, it allows us to avoid 233–416 kg/h CO 2 emissions per 1 MW t of heat.

Keywords: MONG; pyrolysis; sustainable fuel; LCA analyses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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