Building a Code-Based Model to Describe Syngas Production from Biomass

Abstract

Due to growing interest in providing and storing sufficient renewable energies, energy generation from biomass is becoming increasingly important. Biomass gasification represents the process of converting biomass into hydrogen-rich syngas. A one-dimensional kinetic reactor model was developed to simulate biomass gasification processes as an alternative to cost-intensive experiments. The presented model stands out as it contains the additional value of universal use with different biomass types and a more comprehensive application due to its integration into the DWSIM process simulator. The model consists of mass and energy balances based on the kinetics of selected reactions. Two different reactor schemes are simulated: (1) a fixed bed reactor and (2) a fluidized bed reactor. The operating mode can be set as isothermal or non-isothermal. The model was programmed using Python and integrated into DWSIM. Depending on incoming mass flows (biomass, oxygen, steam), biomass type, reactor type, reactor dimensions, temperature, and pressure, the model predicts the mass flows of char, tar, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, and water. Comparison with experimental data from the literature validates the results gained from our model.

Keywords

• biomass gasification
• hydrogen
• fluidized bed reactor
• fixed bed reactor
• process simulation