Biomass gasification in a downdraft fixed-bed gasifier: Optimization of operating conditions. (15th February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jahromi, Reza; Rezaei, Mahdi; Hashem Samadi, Seyed; Jahromi, Hossein
• Is Part Of: Chemical engineering science. Volume 231(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02-15
• Subjects: Biomass gasification -- Downdraft fixed-bed gasifier -- Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) -- Sugarcane bagasse -- Optimization; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie chimique -- Périodiques; Chemical engineering; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 660
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ces.2020.116249
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-2509

Abstract

Highlights: A new CFD model for the gasification of sugarcane bagasse is developed. The impacts of several operating parameters on syngas yield are studied. When S/A ratio increases, a parabolic trend is observed in conversion efficiency. The maximum conversion efficiency is 64.6% when the S/A ratio of 0.67 is applied. Optimal air/steam inlet velocity is 20 m/s for the present study. Abstract: In the present study, a CFD model was developed for the biomass gasification process in a downdraft fixed-bed gasifier. Sugarcane bagasse was used as feedstock in gasification experiments and simulation studies. Several operating parameters, including the velocity and preheating temperature of the inlet air/steam mixture, steam to air ratio (S/A), and biomass moisture content (MC), were investigated to achieve the maximum syngas yield (CO2, H2, CH4, and CO) and conversion efficiency. Results proposed that the syngas yield and conversion efficiency were maximized at S/A of 0.67 and inlet velocity of 20 m/s. In addition, increasing the preheating temperature of air/steam and decreasing the MC of bagasse had positive impacts on the gasification process. The maximum conversion efficiency was 69.14% at the optimum operating conditions. This study offers an advanced tool for the simulation of gasification process that can be used in primary-stage engineering designs.