Tunable syngas production via biomass-plastic co-gasification: a predictive modeling approach using aspen plus

Abstract

Value-added chemicals synthesis through biomass gasification is an attractive route for sustainable development. However, biomass-derived syngas with the required H₂/CO ratio for chemical synthesis without reforming processing steps remains a serious challenge. This study examined the steam co-gasification of biomass and plastic to produce adjustable syngas for the synthesis of value-added chemicals using the Aspen Plus model. The effects of gasifier temperature (T), steam-to-feedstock ratio (SFR), and plastic content of the feedstock (PC) on syngas composition, syngas yield, and H₂/CO ratio were investigated. Out of these influencing factors, SFR was found to create the widest range of H₂/CO ratio. At a temperature of 750 °C, with a plastic content of 30 wt% and a SFR ranging from 0.8 to 2.2, the process produced a syngas yield between 51.16 and 60.32 Nm³/kg. The corresponding H₂/CO ratio varied from 1.63 to 2.90, indicating that the generated syngas is well-suited for applications such as methanol production, methane synthesis, and the Fischer–Tropsch process. This research establishes a practical approach for identifying optimal operating parameters needed to generate syngas that meets the requirements for producing value-added fuels and chemicals.