Gasification efficiencies of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin fractions of biomass in aqueous media by using Pt on activated carbon catalyst

The diversity in the chemical composition of lignocellulosic feedstocks can affect the conversion technologies employed for biofuel production. Aqueous-phase reforming (APR) activities of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin components of lignocellulosic biomass materials were evaluated for production of hydrogen content gas mixture using platinum catalyst on activated carbon support. Wheat straw, an abundant by-product from wheat production and kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), an annual herbaceous plant growing very fast with low lodging susceptibility were used as lignocellulosics in the present study. The hydrolysates of cellulose fractions of biomass materials showed the best performance for gasification. The results indicated that hemicellulose isolated from kenaf was more sensitive to degradation and therefore, produced more gaseous products than that of wheat straw. The hemicellulose isolated from kenaf biomass left the lowest amount of ungasified solid residue in APR among other cellulose and hemicellulose materials studied. Lignin fractions of both biomass materials were not reactive in APR to produce hydrogen rich gas mixture.Gasification efficiencies of kenaf and wheat straw's hemicelluloses were also compared with xylans from beechwood and oat spelts which were commercially available as hemicellulosic fractions.Oat spelts xylan showed better reforming activity over the beechwood xylan.

► The chemical compositions of biomass feeds had significant effects on performance of APR.
► The cellulose fraction of biomass showed the best gasification activity.
► Lignin fraction was not reactive in APR to produce hydrogen rich gas mixture.