Gasification of sago dreg waste in a top-lit updraft fixed bed gasifier: Syngas composition and its effect with additional Al2O3 as catalyst

Sago-based foods have become a staple food in eastern Indonesia. Sago waste, as a by-product, has the potential to be used as a renewable energy fuel. This research aims to use sago dregs waste as an energy source by converting it into renewable energy using Top Lit Updraft (TULD) fixed bed gasification. Al₂O₃, a potential solid waste derived from coal fly ash, is also being investigated for use in sago dreg pellets.The two various Al₂O₃ contents in sago dreg pellets that will be examined with 5 % Al₂O₃ and 10 % Al₂O₃. Operational parameters employed in the gasification process involving the TULD reactor, such as gasification temperature, air flow rate, air-to-fuel ratio (AFR), and syngas assessment. According to the results, adding Al₂O₃ as a catalyst to sago dreg pellets can improve syngas production (H₂, CO, and CH₄). The most significant alteration is that the average hydrogen gas (H₂) content has increased, with the greatest being in 5 % Al₂O₃ with 31.65 %, and 10 % Al₂O₃ with 29.94 %. Meanwhile, the CO and CH₄ gas content was found to be highest at 10 % Al₂O₃, with each experiencing an increase in average (CO 4.33 % and CH₄ 26.45 %) as compared to sago dregs pellets without Al₂O₃. Finally, sago dregs pellets with an Al₂O₃ catalyst have a high potential as an alternative energy fuel for internal combustion engines with H₂/CO of 1.65 and 1.51 respectively, for 5 % Al₂O₃ and 10 % Al₂O₃, with low tar content.