ABSTRACT
The present work aims at evaluating the possibility of using acorn wastes as feedstock for thermal gasification. The effect of temperature on the gasification process was evaluated to assess the potential of this concept. The acorn wastes were analyzed in terms of their proximate and ultimate composition and calorific value. The results indicated that these feedstock presents proper characteristics for energy recovery via gasification, particularly reduced moisture, and ash contents (9 and 6 wt.%, respectively) and a good high heating value (18.1 MJ/kg). Varying temperature (600, 650, and 700 ºC) in the gasification of acorn wastes showed that syngas presented a better lower heating value (5.6 MJ/m3) at the highest testing temperature. Furthermore, at 700°C, the syngas also showed increased concentrations of H2 and CO, and a reduced amount of tar. Overall, the obtained results point out that acorn wastes are a suitable feedstock for gasification, particularly at 700 ºC.
