- Thesis topic: Application of Microwave Plasma Pyrolysis for CH4 and H2 Productions

- Doi: 

- Abstract: 

        Biomass energy plays a crucial role in achieving net-zero emissions, as plants utilize photosynthesis to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into hydrocarbons, acting as a carbon sink. Transforming biomass as a fuel source through various methods such as pyrolysis, gasification, or combustion, followed by capturing and storing the emitted carbon dioxide to achieve the negative carbon on the environment. Taiwan, being an island nation, boasts abundant marine resources. This study focuses on macroalgae as a biomass source and waste gas from disposable chopsticks as transformation to biomassfuel.
Plasma technology is applied, leveraging its advantages of rapid response and low selectivity. Due to its ability to produce a high-energy-density plasma arc with minimal electricity, This research choose macroalgae species such as Ulva lactuca, Yonagunia formosana , Eucheuma serra, Sargassum ilicifolium as well as waste disposable chopsticks as sample. The biomass is subjected to microwave plasma technology under atmospheric pressure to thermally decompose and produce hydrogen and methane. The study evaluates the effects of microwave power, carrier gas flow rate, and sample quantity on methane and hydrogen production.
In the parameter tests, experiment show that plasma power is the most influental parameter during pyrolysis process. Increasing the microwave power from 800 Watts to 1400 Watts enhances methane and hydrogen production for Ulva lactuca sample, reaching 73.6 vol%. Microwave power is a key parameter affecting the thermal decomposition of biomass for methane and hydrogen production. Under 1400 Watts microwave power, macroalgae can produce hydrogen and methane in the range of 61-73.6 vol%. Different types of macroalgae exhibit significant variations in gasification efficiency, with Ulva lactuca demonstrating optimal performance.
On the other hand, 5 grams of waste chopsticks achieve a production of 72.9 vol% of hydrogen and methane at 1200 Watts of microwave power, with an gas energy conversion efficiency of 54.6%. The gas energy conversion efficiency of macroalgae, particularly Ulva lactuca, can reach 41.3%, while the lowest efficiency is observed in Ulva lactuca at 19.6%. The utilization of microwave plasma technology for biomass pyrolysis to produce syngas presents a promising technique echo net-zero emissions. Moreover, targets will achieve negative carbon if combined with cabon capture

Keywords: Biofuel, Macroalgae, Biomass, Carbon Capture, Hydrogen