Processing and extraction of hydrogen syngas from industrial organic wastewater via supercritical gasification featured with alkali salt catalyst

Abstract This research aims to enhance hydrogen production and carbon conversion efficiency, and to reduce char formation during energy conversion from industrial organic waste (pulp) via supercritical water gasification, with and without an alkali salt catalyst (K 2 CO 3 ). During the gasification process, the gasification pressure varies from 15 to 30 bar, and a constant gasification temperature (600°C) is maintained for a 30 min residence time. The effect of the gasification pressure (without catalyst) on gas composition, hydrogen yield, hydrogen selectivity, carbon conversion efficiency, gasification efficiency, and char formation percentage was studied. The findings showed that the pre‐treatment pulp subjected to 25 bar at 600°C for 30 min exhibited a higher hydrogen yield with enhanced gasification performance. Further research is extending to a 10 wt% K 2 CO 3 setup. It resulted in an enhanced hydrogen vol% of 33.4%, a hydrogen yield of 1.29 Nm3/kg, an improved hydrogen selectivity of 59.1%, and enhanced carbon conversion efficiency and gasification efficiency, with reduced char formation of 89.5%, 86.3%, and 3.2%, respectively. Moreover, the gasifier operated at 25 bar and 600°C for 30 min, with a K 2 CO 3 catalyst, provided optimal hydrogen‐rich syngas production. It is a trade‐off for alternative fuel for energy applications.