Evaluate Feasibility of Sustainable and Economical Utilization of Biomass Gasification Byproducts

Vinod Patel, B.K. Sharma, Wei Zheng, Peter Ping Liu, Mori Toosi

Research output: Book/Report/Conference proceedingTechnical report

Abstract

Renewable energy offers a way to sustain the development of a society in harmony with nature and available resources (Das, 2007). As a renewable energy technology, biomass gasification has received revived attention recently. Nevertheless, responsible disposal or utilization of ash generated from biomass gasification process remains a technical challenge that needs to be resolved, in order for this technology to be a truly sustainable system (Fernandez-Pereira et al., 2011). The overall objective of this study was to develop a unique, environmentally friendly technology to make value-added building materials from gasification solid waste, thereby managing solid waste efficiently and avoiding landfills, saving natural resources, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is hoped that this investigation could benefit solid waste, gasification, and concrete/clay products industries, and could help protect the environment and communities. This project was also intended to explore the feasibility of using biomass gasification ash (BGA; a combination of fly ash and bottom ash) as an admixture in concrete materials. Cement production consumes a significant amount of energy. Biomass ash can be used to replace some portion of required cement in concrete mix as a sustainable construction practice, which can result in a significant energy savings to society. Through our lab-scale brick study, we determined that BGA can be used to replace clay and shale as raw materials in brick making. The replacement percentage level can be up to 10% by mass and 18% by volume. A concrete mix using 10% or 20% biomass gasification ash to replace cement was shown to have satisfactory compressive strength for field applications, typical of 3,000 psi grade concrete.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Place of PublicationChampaign, IL
PublisherIllinois Sustainable Technology Center
StatePublished - May 2015

Publication series

NameTR Series (Illinois Sustainable Technology Center)
No.57

Keywords

  • Biomass gasification -- Environmental aspects
  • Renewable energy -- Environmental aspects
  • Beneficial reuse
  • Sustainable architecture
  • Construction materials
  • Biochar
  • Biomass gasification ash
  • Brickmaking

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