Chemometric Modelling of Experimental Data on Co-gasification of Bituminous Coal and Biomass to Hydrogen-Rich Gas

In the paper the data set from the experimental study on the influence of a fuel blend composition on the efficiency of steam co-gasification process was explored with the application of the principal component analysis and the hierarchical clustering analysis. Based on the analysis the synergy effects observed in the steam co-gasification process at the temperature of 700 and 900 A degrees C were interpreted. In the co-gasification tests the significant differences between studied biomass types (Miscanthus Giganteus and Sida Hermaphrodita) were observed. The more pronounced synergy effects were reported in co-gasification of coal and Sida Hermaphrodita biomass blends than for coal and Miscanthus Giganteus biomass. Furthermore, more significant synergy effects in co-gasification of coal and Sida Hermaphrodita biomass were observed at lower temperature. A further, in-depth analysis of the relationships between the physical and chemical parameters of fuels and the product gas quality and volume enabled to determine the biomass content in a fuel blend, and the thermal conditions optimal for hydrogen-rich gas production.