BIOENERGY PRODUCTION FROM OLIVE TREE PRUNING USING GASIFICATION TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

The current study aims to assess the suitability of olive tree pruning residues as a feedstock for gasification process using a laboratory-scale gasifier. The performance of the developed gasifier in terms of syngas production, composition, and energy efficiency was analyzed and evaluated. A preliminary experiment was conducted to assess and evaluate the elemental, proximate, chemical, and thermogravimetric analysis for the olive tree pruning (OTP). The characteristics of the produced syngas, including its heating value and composition of gases like carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane, were analyzed. The developed gasifier was examined under different levels of gasification temperatures (650, 700, 750, 800°C) and different types of catalyst (Cement kiln dust catalyst, Calcium hydroxide catalyst, Nano-sized Fe-Ni supported on dolomite, and Nano-sized Fe-Ni supported on Alumina). In conclusion, the most proper operational condition for the developed gasifier was 800 °C gasification temperature with calcium hydroxide as catalyst. Meanwhile utilizing olive tree pruning residues in the gasification process offers a promising solution for addressing the waste management and energy needs of the olive industry.