A Steady-state Simulation of Downdraft Gasifier with Bamboo for the Production of Producer Gas

Authors: Emmanuel Iheonu Nduka, Ugwuodo Chijioke B, Ibeakolam Shadrach, Chinonso Nwanevu

Country: Nigeria

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Abstract: Biomass Gasification is a chemical process that converts biomass into valuable, convenient gaseous fuels or chemical feedstock. It has emerged as a promising technology to fulfill the world's increasing energy demands and significantly reduce the volume of biomass waste generated in developing societies. A thermodynamic equilibrium model of a steady-state downdraft gasifier was developed using Aspen HYSYS. The model addressed the physical properties of the bamboo and the chemical reaction involved in the process. The gasifier consists of four reactor zones: Drying, Pyrolysis, Volatile Combustion, and Char Gasification. The pyrolysis yield reactor was used to model the bamboo constituent's decomposition in the pyrolysis zone. The combustion of char and volatile, including the gasification zone, was modeled using the equilibrium and conversion reactor. The model predicted the producer gas compositions, optimal temperatures for the gasifier, estimated the airflow to biomass ratio, steam flow to biomass ratio, and temperature to biomass ratio on the producer gas composition. Experimental and simulation results from literature were used to guarantee the accuracy of the modeled gasification process. At the end of this research, the final result shows that bamboo could be a potential material for energy resources and sustainability. An increase in steam to biomass ratio increased the net production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide to produce fuel and chemicals. An initial rise in the steam to biomass increases the net output of carbon monoxide (CO). More so, an increase in temperature increases the yield of the producer gas. Finally, it was observed that proper pre-treatment of feedstock improves the efficiency of the gasification process.

Keywords: Biomass, Gasification, Bamboo, Aspen HYSYS

Paper Id: 1288

Published On: 2021-11-08

Published In: Volume 9, Issue 6, November-December 2021

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