A preliminary physical-chemical analysis of steam reforming of biogas from a small wastewater treatment system of a university campus

Abstract

The need to diminish environmental impact caused by energy generation and consumption has leaded researches concerning renewable resources such as biogas. A small wastewater treatment system with biogas production was developed in a campus of São Paulo State University, campus of Guaratinguetá. Recently, a project was approved under support by FAPESP, a state-owned company responsible by financial support of projects performed in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Firstly, a theoretical analysis was developed to evaluate the content of hydrogen to be produced through steam reforming. The content of filtered and dried biogas produced in this wastewater treatment system was 80% CH4 and 20% CO2. At 1 atm, the predicted content of the gases in the syngas was 57% H2 at 300°C and 58% H2 at 800°C, where the reaction could be terminated. At this temperature, 27% CO2, 9% CO, 6% solid carbon, and small traces of ethylene and acetylene could be encountered.