Plasma Thermal Gasification of Mechanical Mixtures and Composite Fuels Based on Coal Washing Waste and Pine Sawdust

The results of an experimental study of high-temperature plasma gasification of mixed organic fuel based on sawdust and coal washing waste (hereinafter referred to as coal) are presented. The relevance of the work is due to the need to develop effective and environmentally friendly methods for processing renewable raw materials in the context of increasing energy consumption and tightening environmental standards. Gasification of individual components (sawdust, coal), their mechanical mixtures and composite materials obtained by their joint activation milling in various ratios was studied. The experiments were conducted in a plasma-thermal unit with a capacity of 20 kg/h with an arc plasma torch (50 kW) at temperatures of 1200-1600 °C. The experiments showed that the maximum concentrations of the target components of the synthesis gas were achieved during gasification of a mixture containing 66 % sawdust and 33 % coal. In this version, the hydrogen content in the gasification products reached 9.91 vol%, and carbon monoxide - 28.04 vol%, which indicates a high efficiency of processing such a fuel composition. Analysis of the gas evolution dynamics revealed that in comparison with mechanical mixtures, the composite samples obtained by the joint activation milling provide a more stable and uniform yield of synthesis gas throughout the gasification process, which is important for the practical application of the technology. The studies have shown that the combined processing of biomass and coal in the form of composite materials allows optimising the gasification process, ensuring uniform gas emission and reducing harmful emissions. The results obtained are of practical importance for the development of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies for processing organic waste.