Fly ash characterization from Cynara cardunculus L. gasification

This study analyzes the characteristics of fines produced during the air-blown gasification of Cynara cardunculus L. in a bubbling fluidized bed. These fines are collected by means of two hot cyclones and a hot filter. The gasification temperature is varied from 700 to 800 °C using olivine and magnesite as bed materials, with an equivalence ratio of 0.2. Relatively high carbon content is found in the entrained fines for all experiments. The lower heating value of the elutriated fines varies from 5.2 to 9.4 MJ/kgdb. Around 75% of the fines are captured in the first cyclone, 5% in the second cyclone, and the remaining 20% in the hot filter. The concentration of elements such as Se and Cl makes these fly ashes a hazardous material. Based on these properties the potential reuse of fly ashes is evaluated.