Catalytic co-gasification of food waste and polypropylene using molybdenum- and iron-promoted nickel/cerium oxide and calcium-based sorbents for hydrogen-rich gas generation

This study investigated the sorption-enhanced co-gasification (SECG) of food waste (FW) and polypropylene (PP) employing cerium oxide-supported nickel catalysts (Ni/CeO₂, iron (Fe)-Ni/CeO₂, and molybdenum (Mo)-Ni/CeO₂), calcium (Ca)-based materials (CaO and calcined dolomite) as CO₂ sorbents, and steam to generate hydrogen (H₂)-rich gas. FW/PP co-gasification showed a synergistic effect, enhancing cracking reactions and increasing gas yield beyond theoretical values. Adding promoters, particularly Mo, onto Ni/CeO₂ enhanced the gas yield and H₂ selectivity. Increasing the FW/PP ratio enhanced H₂-rich gas production. The use of calcined dolomite resulted in a 1.15- and 1.38-fold increase in the gas yield and H₂ selectivity, respectively, accounting for 67.7 wt% and 48.8 vol%, compared with those achieved in typical co-gasification, with performance recovering after regeneration. This study highlights the effectiveness of SECG of FW and PP with CeO₂-supported Ni catalysts and CO₂ sorbents in enhancing H₂-rich gas production, supporting both waste management and sustainable energy.