Kinetic Modeling and Simulation of Pyrolysis of Shrinking Biomass Particle in Fixed Bed Gasifier

Abstract

Pyrolysis plays an integrated role in the biomass conversion processes. The development of good mathematical models which in consequent leads to the design of pyrolysis reactors. The biomass gasifier is paramount in the scientific studies and understanding of the very important process in the thermochemical conversion of the solid fuels. However, due to the complexities of the biomass reaction scheme, the pyrolysis of biomass is generally modeled on the basis of apparent kinetics. Moreover, it is generally accepted that most important parameters affecting the process are temperature, concentration, residence time and heating conditions. This work presents the simulations of the pyrolysis kinetics of shrinking biomass particle under non-isothermal and isothermal heating conditions. The developed models were used to investigate the effects of shrinkage, heating conditions and heating rates on the pyrolysis of wood. There is a good agreement when the results of the developed models were compared to the experimental results. Theresults of this work could be used in estimating the optimum parameters in the pyrolysis of biomass and in the design of some pyrolysis reactors.