Reaction products from the subcritical water gasification of food wastes and glucose with NaOH and H₂O₂

The gasification of some selected components of food wastes using H₂O₂ as the oxidant and in the presence of NaOH has been investigated under subcritical water conditions. Hydrogen production was enhanced when both NaOH and H₂O₂ were used compared to when either NaOH or H₂O₂ alone was used or in their absence. Results indicated that the H₂O₂ acted to partially oxidize the samples while NaOH significantly increased hydrogen gas yields by promoting the water-gas shift reaction with subsequent CO₂ capture. In the presence of NaOH, the main components were Na₂CO₃, CH₃COONa and CH₃COONa -₃H₂O. Char and tar production were suppressed in the presence of NaOH.