Valorization of Waste Biomass By Co-Gasification: A Comprehensive Review

Critical energy crisis and environmental impacts are caused due to more consumption of conventional fuels. Nowadays, the co-gasification of coal and biomass is one of the best-emerging technologies, due to its high thermodynamic efficiency with relatively low CO2 emission. It also offers several advantages over the gasification of individual feed. Co-gasification act as a bridge between fuel production from fossil and energy production from renewable sources. Valorization of waste biomass can be done by blending it with coal which also reduces the harmful effects of coal gasification. According to the characteristics of coal and biomass, various gasification techniques and gasifiers are used. Products and residue generated from co-gasification can be used in several industries such as power generation, fertilizer, cement, road construction, etc. This papers reviews on the selection of gasifier depending upon feedstock and factors affecting co-gasification such as the type of biomass and its proportion in mixture, ash content, catalyst, etc. It also discusses the products and its uses, environmental and economic issues, challenges and recommendation.