CFD modelling of biomass gasification with a volatile break-up approach

Kumar, U. and Paul, M. C. (2019) CFD modelling of biomass gasification with a volatile break-up approach. Chemical Engineering Science, 195, pp. 413-422. (doi: 10.1016/j.ces.2018.09.038)

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Abstract

Gasification thermochemical processes of biomass in a 20 kW downdraft gasifier are investigated using a robust two-dimensional (2D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling method. The model includes all the four zones of the gasifier namely drying, pyrolysis, oxidation and reduction. A step-by-step approach is proposed to evaluate the composition of different gas species as a result of the volatile break-up during gasification. However, selecting suitable chemical reactions for the CFD modelling becomes challenging as the commonly used reactions in kinetic study showed discrepancy in predicting the synthesis gas compositions. A revised set of chemical mechanisms is therefore proposed in the study and the robustness of the approach is examined with results validated against data from literature. The study reports how the air equivalence ratio (ER) affects the gasifier temperature and also the composition of producer gases. The model is then applied to investigate the syngas production of various biomass feedstocks sourced from Scottish agricultural sites.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Kumar, Dr Umesh and Paul, Professor Manosh
Authors: Kumar, U., and Paul, M. C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
Journal Name:Chemical Engineering Science
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0009-2509
ISSN (Online):1873-4405
Published Online:25 September 2018
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd.
First Published:First published in Chemical Engineering Science 195: 413-422
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
721661Bio-GaTe - Advanced Biomass Gasification TechnologiesManosh PaulInnovate UK (INNOVATE)132362ENG - ENGINEERING SYSTEMS POWER & ENERGY
3017840Next Generation Advanced Gasification TechnologyManosh PaulRoyal Academy of Engineering (RAE)LTSRF1718\14\45ENG - Systems Power & Energy