EUBCE 2026 - Sebastian SANCHEZ VILLASCLARAS - Physicochemical Changes of Olive Stone in a Pilot-Scale Downdraft Gasifier

Physicochemical Changes of Olive Stone in a Pilot-Scale Downdraft Gasifier

Short Introductive summary

Olive stone is a lignocellulose by-product widely available in the European olive oil sub-sector. This biomass is commonly used as a biofuel in both industrial and domestic applications; however, it can also be subjected to gasification in downdraft gasifiers. In this case, in addition to synthesis gas (CO + H?), a biochar can be produced, with potential applications in fields such as energy, agriculture, and wastewater treatment. In this work, the gasification of fragmented olive stones were investigated using a pilot-scale fixed-bed downdraft gasifier, with the aim of analysing the physicochemical changes undergone by the biomass as it descends through the reactor. To this end, solid biomass samples were collected at four different reactor heights, corresponding to the drying, pyrolysis, oxidation, and reduction zones, and several physicochemical parameters were determined, including particle size distribution, bulk density, higher heating value, and moisture adsorption capacity.

L. Garrido-Moreno, University of Jaen, Jaen, SPAIN
M. Cuevas-Aranda, University of Jaen/ University Institute of Research in Olive Grove and Olive Oils, Jaen, SPAIN
E. Ramírez-Maldonado, University of Jaen, Jaen, SPAIN
S. Sánchez-Villasclaras, University of Jaen/ University Institute of Research in Olive Grove and Olive Oils, Jaen, SPAIN