Gasification Processes of Portuguese Biomass: Theoretical Analysis of Hydrogen Production Potential

Leonel J. R. Nunes ()
Additional contact information
Leonel J. R. Nunes: proMetheus, Unidade de Investigação em Materiais, Energia e Ambiente Para a Sustentabilidade, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua da Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Alvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-32

Abstract: Portugal’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 has intensified the search for renewable energy alternatives, with biomass gasification emerging as a promising pathway for hydrogen production. This comprehensive review analyzes the potential of 39 Portuguese biomass species for gasification processes, based on extensive laboratory characterization data including proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, heating values, and metal content. The studied biomasses encompass woody shrubland species ( matos arbustivos lenhosos ), forest residues, and energy crops representative of Portugal’s diverse biomass resources. Results indicate significant variability in gasification potential, with moisture content ranging from 0.5% to 14.9%, ash content from 0.5% to 5.5%, and higher heating values between 16.8 and 21.2 MJ/kg. Theoretical hydrogen yield calculations suggest that Portuguese biomasses could produce between 85 and 120 kg H 2 per ton of dry biomass, with species such as Eucalyptus globulus , Pinus pinaster , and Cytisus multiflorus showing the highest potential. Statistical analysis reveals strong negative correlations between moisture content and hydrogen yield potential (r = −0.63), while carbon content shows positive correlation with gasification efficiency. The comprehensive characterization provides essential data for optimizing gasification processes and establishing Portugal’s biomass-to-hydrogen production capacity, contributing to the national hydrogen strategy and renewable energy transition.

Keywords: biomass gasification; hydrogen production; woody biomass energy; renewable energy; thermochemical conversion processes; energy transition (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: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/16/4453/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/16/4453/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:16:p:4453-:d:1729717

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().