Doctoral Dissertations

Keywords and Phrases

Aspen Plus simulation; Biomass; Co-pyrolysis; Oil shale; RDF; Sustainability

Abstract

"The development of renewable energy sources has become increasingly urgent considering the climate crisis and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Pyrolysis, which is decomposition of an organic feedstock without oxygen, is a thermo-chemical process that has garnered significant attention as a promising technology for sustainable energy production, capable of converting biomass and waste materials into biofuels.

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis behaviors of corn stover (CS), refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and oil shale (OS) in equal mass ratios. Utilizing a thermogravimetric analyzer and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the co-pyrolysis process is examined across a temperature range of 25°C to 900°C, employing varying heating rates of 5, 10, and 20°C/min under a nitrogen atmosphere. Kinetic analysis is conducted using model-free methods, including Kis-singer-AkahiraSunose (KAS), Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Starink, and Tang, with subsequent estimation of thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy change (ΔH), entropy change (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG). Additionally, mass and energy balances specific to the blended feedstock are calculated to assess potential operational efficiency.

Moreover, the study employs a fixed-bed reactor, enhanced by electrical kiln heating, to conduct the co-pyrolysis process. A notable aspect of this research involves the utilization of Aspen Plus software for process simulation, with the simulated results undergoing validation against experimental data. Furthermore, this research sheds light on the potential of these materials to address the urgent challenges of plastic waste management and the utilization of energy resources" -- Abstract, p. iv

Advisor(s)

Smith, Joseph D.

Committee Member(s)

Al-Rubaye, Haider
Patton Luks, Christi L.
Ludlow, Douglas K.
Homan, Kelly
Dogan, Fatih

Department(s)

Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Summer 2024

Pagination

xiv, 116 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes_bibliographical_references_(pages 44, 76, 106 & 114)

Rights

©2024 Hasan Jawad Hammood Al-Abedi , All Rights Reserved

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 12366

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