Preparation of Nickel-Impregnated Activated Carbon Catalyst and Its Application in Co-gasification of Municipal Solid Waste and Coconut Shell

The abundant municipal solid waste (MSW) and coconut shells can be overcome with gasification technology. The type of catalyst can affect the gasification process significantly. The purposes of this study were to prepare nickel-impregnated activated carbon catalysts and utilize them in the co-gasification of MSW and coconut shells. First, carbon was prepared through pyrolysis of coconut shells at 450°C. Then, the carbon was activated using KOH and neutralized with 1M HCl. Furthermore, it was calcinated at various temperatures of 550, 650, and 750°C. The resulting activated carbon was impregnated using nickel (Ni(NO3)2?6H2O) at various stirring temperatures (50 and 90°C) with or without a holding time (for 24 hours after stirring). Characterization of catalysts was conducted using BET, XRD, SEM-EDS, and gas chromatography tests. The results showed that the best calcination temperature was 650°C, resulting in activated carbon with the highest BET surface area of 1253 m2/g and iodine absorption capacity of 984 mg/g. Furthermore, the optimum conditions in the impregnation process were a stirring temperature of 50°C with a holding time of 24 hours, resulting in the best nickel-impregnated activated carbon catalyst (with code ACNi50D). XRD test showed that crystals of Ni and NiO elements were well visible in the ACNi50D catalyst. SEM-EDS test showed that there was a good distribution of Nickel (Ni), Oxygen (O), and Carbon (C) elements in the ACNi50D catalyst. In the co-gasification process test, the ACNi50D catalyst resulted in syngas with higher H2 content (58%) compared to the other catalysts.