Comparison of syngas composition using different gasifying agents in a fluidized bed gasification simulation study of raw and torrefied oil palm fronds

Abstract Biomass waste can be converted efficiently into useful gaseous which is syngas through gasification process. In this work, fluidized bed gasification simulation model was developed using Aspen Plus software where raw and torrefied oil palm fronds (OPF) were used as feedstock. In addition, air, oxygen, steam and combination oxygen-steam as agents were employed for investigating its effect on syngas composition. Model validation was performed by comparing predicted simulation results with gasification experimental data where good agreements were achieved. Sensitivity analysis at different operating condition was conducted for investigating the influences of gasification temperature from 600 ℃ to 1000 ℃ and type of gasification agents on composition of syngas. Simulation results show torrefied OPF at 300 ℃ exhibits best gasification performance as it achieves highest H 2 compared to other feedstocks. Increasing gasification temperature does indeed increase the composition of CO and H 2 which will improve the syngas yield. Among four type of gasification agents, steam is the best gasification agent as it is able to produce the highest H 2 compared to other gasification agents. In overall, torrefied OPF at 300 ℃ with the gasification temperature of 1000 ℃ and steam is the best agent for the gasification process.