Thermochemical conversion of water-washed indigenous agricultural residue

An experimental and simulati on study

Background:

The agricultural residue contains large fraction of ash content ranging up to 15%. During
combustion or gasification, high ash content cause various technological, health, and
environment related risks. Technological challenges include slagging, fouling, and
agglomeration etc. One way to get rid of the ash content is chemical pre-treatment –
demineralization with acid or base leaching reagent. While chemical treatment results in above
90% ash reduction, it leads to contaminated water required for biomass neutralization besides
low solvent recovery and loss of valuable organic content. Alternatively, water-wash can remove
around 50% of the ash forming components – mainly water-soluble alkali metals without any
loss of organic content. As a result, challenges caused by high ash content are minimized and
heating values are improved.

Objectives:

1. To quantify ash reduction and biomass valorization by water-wash pre-treatment through

experimental means
2. To estimate capital investment and operational expenditures required for industrial scale
pre-treatment facility
3. To quantify net gain in system performance, operational feasibility, and cost reduction
using simulation tools

Experiments required:

1. Collection indigenous biomass waste/agricultural residue e.g. bagasse, cotton stalk,

wheat straw
2. Water-washing of collected samples
3. Proximate analysis and calorific value determination before and after treatment

Time Plan:

 Literature review and proposal preparation: 1 month

 Sample collection, treatment, and characterization: 2 weeks
 Simulation: 2 months
 Results compilation and drafting: 1 month

Contact details:
Dr. A.N. Tabish
antabish@uet.edu.pk
0313-7040288