Olive Waste Valorization Through TGA-MS Gasification: A Diatomaceous Earth Effect

Abstract

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.

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