Modeling of beech wood pellet pyrolysis under concentrated solar radiation. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zeng, Kuo; Soria, José; Gauthier, Daniel; Mazza, Germán; Flamant, Gilles
• Is Part Of: Renewable energy. Volume 99(2016)
• Page Start: 721
• Page End: 729
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Biomass pyrolysis -- Concentrated solar radiation -- CFD model -- Product yield -- Temperature -- Heating rate; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2016.07.051
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-1481

Abstract

Abstract: A two-dimensional, unsteady CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) single particle model was developed and used to simulate the solar pyrolysis process of beech wood pellets (10 mm in diameter and 5 mm in height). Pseudo-stoichiometric coefficients about the mass fraction of primary tar converted by the reaction into gas and secondary tar were determined at different temperatures and heating rates for the first time. The 2D model predictions were successfully validated with tests performed at 600 °C to 2000 °C final temperature, with 10 and 50 °C/s heating rates. The evolution of the final products and mass losses of pyrolyzed biomass are enhanced with temperature and heating rate. Moreover, the higher the temperature and heating rate, the higher the gas yield. This emphasizes the intra-particle tar secondary reaction into gas for pyrolysis of large size sample under high temperature and heating rate. Highlights: Solar pyrolysis of beech wood was modeled. Heat and mass transfer was studied by a two-dimensional unsteady particle model. Model predictions are in good agreement with experimental results. Gas yields increase with heating rate and final temperature. Enhanced intra-particle tar secondary reactions lead to gas yields increase.