Modeling and Simulation of Pyrolysis Process for a Beech Wood Material

Abstract

Modeling and simulation of beech wood was carried out using Aspen Plus simulation commercial package. The model was created based on pyrolysis product yield, proximate and ultimate analysis of the wood species. In the model development, RYield was used to represent pyrolysis reactor as a non- stoichiometric type that decomposes the wood into categories of conventional compounds. The model was simulated to give the components compositions in both gaseous and liquid products. The simulation was first conducted at a temperature of 450oC, for range of feed particle sizes from 1.6-2.0 mm, using atmospheric pressure. Five different runs were carried out by varying their temperatures and particle size. The investigation revealed the effect of pyrolysis temperature and wood particle size on compositions of liquid and gaseous products. The results showed that production of methanol increases with temperature but decreases at temperatures beyond 550oC. Carbon dioxide yield decreases with increase in temperature while that of carbon monoxide and methane get higher as temperature increases.