Evolution of properties of macadamia husk throughout gasification: hints
for a zero-waste energy production system
Abstract
In-depth information about the transformation of biomass during
gasification is the key to the sustainable development of this
technology. This study elucidated the evolution of physico-chemical
properties of macadamia husk throughout relevant industrial gasification
conditions. The technical characteristics combined with high kinetics
highlighted the suitability of this feedstock for gasification.
Non-porous chars with very low surface areas were observed throughout
the conversion, which minimizes the potential to use the residues after
gasification as adsorbents. Nevertheless, multiple carboxyl and hydroxyl
functional groups were present on the char surface. Moreover, an
extraordinarily high K content was detected (up to 86 wt% of the char’s
total inorganic elements) and evenly distributed on the char surface.
Such results consolidated the idea of combining the production of energy
and cheap bio-fertilizers using the gasification of macadamia husk. The
resulting database offered interesting hints for the development of
zero-waste energy production systems with biomass gasification.