Influence of Educt Preparation on Gasification of Corn Silage in Supercritical Water

Supercritical water gasification of corn silage was investigated in a continuous down-flow reactor. The influence of potassium addition, particle diameter, maize sort, and dry matter content on the gasification efficiency and gas composition was discussed. The effect of potassium addition on the gasification of corn starch was compared with the effect of potassium addition in case of corn silage. Four different crushing units were used. The results obtained using each unit were discussed. Three corn silage with different maturity grades and two corn silage with different growing conditions were investigated. The dry organic matter was varied from 2.5 to 20 wt %. The gasification efficiency and gas composition depends on the biomass concentration. Plugging was observed at higher concentrations. Increase of the pressure inhibited and reduced plugging levels. The residence time was varied for a kinetic study. The gasification efficiency can be modeled with zero-order kinetics, but it is influenced by the concentration.