The effect of diatomaceous earth
on gasification of olive pomace
and olive stone was studied by thermogravimetric analysis with mass
spectrometry (TGA-MS). Additionally, gas emissions, the H2/CO ratio, and gasification reactivity were evaluated. First, a preliminary
study of the effect of particle size on olive waste gasification was
performed to select the most appropriate from a technical and industrial
point of view. With olive pomace, the larger the particle size, the
lower H2/CO and reactivity. However, with olive stone,
optimum results were observed with the largest particles. Subsequently,
olive waste was mixed with different percentages (10, 25, and 50 wt
%) of diatomaceous earth. When olive pomace contained diatomaceous
earth, even though there was no substantial improvement in reactivity,
syngas quality in terms of H2/CO was significantly enhanced
and increased by up to four times. However, the diatomaceous earth
effect on olive stone gasification was more remarkable, enhancing
both reactivity and the H2/CO ratio. Different behaviors
in the biomasses were due to the different impacts of the alkali and
alkaline earth metals on the diatomaceous earth. Whereas both of these
made positive contributions to the olive stone, only the latter had
a significant influence on olive pomace.