Gasification of Cup Plant ( Silphium perfoliatum L.) Biomass–Energy Recovery and Environmental Impacts

Adam Koniuszy, Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw, Cezary Podsiadło, Paweł Sędłak and Ewa Możdżer
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Adam Koniuszy: Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Pawla VI 1, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland
Małgorzata Hawrot-Paw: Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Pawla VI 1, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland
Cezary Podsiadło: Department of Agroengineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Pawla VI 3, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland
Paweł Sędłak: Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Pawla VI 1, 71-459 Szczecin, Poland
Ewa Możdżer: Department of Environment Management, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Slowackiego 17, 71-434 Szczecin, Poland

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 18, 1-13

Abstract: Biomass from cup plant ( Silphium perfoliatum L.) is considered a renewable energy source that can be converted into alternative fuel. Calorific syngas, a promising type of advanced fuel, can be produced through thermochemical biomass gasification. In this study, the suitability of cup plant biomass for gasification was assessed, including the process energy balance and environmental impacts of waste from syngas purification. Silphium perfoliatum L. was cultivated as a gasification feedstock in different conditions (irrigation, fertilization). The experiments were performed in a membrane gasifier. All obtained energy parameters were compared to the biomass yield per hectare. The toxic effects of liquid waste were assessed using tests analyzing germination/seed root elongation of Sinapsis alba . Leachates collected from condensation tanks of a gas generator were introduced to soil at the following doses: 100, 1000 and 10,000 mg kg −1 DM of soil. The usefulness of Silphium perfoliatum L. for gasification was confirmed. The factors of plant cultivation affected the biomass yield, the volume and calorific value of syngas and the amount of biochar. It was determined that the components found in condensates demonstrate a phytotoxic effect, restricting or inhibiting germination and root elongation of Sinapsis alba . Due to this potential hazard, the possibility of its release to the environment should be limited. Most of the biomass is only used for heating purposes, but the syngas obtained from the cup plant can be used to power cogeneration systems, which, apart from heat, also generate electricity.

Keywords: gasification of biomass; cup plant; bioenergy; syngas; biochar; tar; ecotoxicity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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