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A Phenomenological Model of a Downdraft Biomass Gasifier Flexible to the Feedstock Composition and the Reactor Design

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  • Michela Costa

    (Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie per l’Energia e la Mobilità Sostenibili Motori, CNR, Viale Marconi, 4, 80125 Naples, Italy)

  • Maurizio La Villetta

    (Research & Development Department, Costruzioni Motori Diesel S.p.A., Via Pacinotti, 2, 81020 San Nicola La Strada, Italy)

  • Daniele Piazzullo

    (Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie per l’Energia e la Mobilità Sostenibili Motori, CNR, Viale Marconi, 4, 80125 Naples, Italy)

  • Domenico Cirillo

    (Research & Development Department, Costruzioni Motori Diesel S.p.A., Via Pacinotti, 2, 81020 San Nicola La Strada, Italy)

Abstract

The development of a one-dimensional (1D) phenomenological model for biomass gasification in downdraft reactors is presented in this study; the model was developed with the aim of highlighting the main advantages and limits related to feedstocks that are different from woodchip, such as hydro-char derived from the hydrothermal carbonization of green waste, or a mix of olive pomace and sawdust. An experimental validation of the model is performed. The numerically evaluated temperature evolution along the reactor gasifier is found to be in agreement with locally measured values for all the considered biomasses. The model captures the pressure drop along the reactor axis, despite an underestimation with respect to the performed measurements. The producer gas composition resulting from the numerical model at the exit section is in quite good agreement with gas-chromatograph analyses (12% maximum error for CO and CO 2 species), although the model predicts lower methane and hydrogen content in the syngas than the measurements show. Parametric analyses highlight that lower degrees of porosity enhance the pressure drop along the reactor axis, moving the zones characterized by the occurrence of the combustion and gasification phases towards the bottom. An increase in the biomass moisture content is associated with a delayed evolution of the temperature profile. The high energy expenditure in the evaporation phase occurs at the expense of the produced hydrogen and methane in the subsequent phases.

Suggested Citation

  • Michela Costa & Maurizio La Villetta & Daniele Piazzullo & Domenico Cirillo, 2021. "A Phenomenological Model of a Downdraft Biomass Gasifier Flexible to the Feedstock Composition and the Reactor Design," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-29, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:14:p:4226-:d:593603
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Umeki, Kentaro & Namioka, Tomoaki & Yoshikawa, Kunio, 2012. "Analysis of an updraft biomass gasifier with high temperature steam using a numerical model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 38-45.
    2. Font Palma, Carolina, 2013. "Modelling of tar formation and evolution for biomass gasification: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 129-141.
    3. Patra, Tapas Kumar & Nimisha, K.R. & Sheth, Pratik N., 2016. "A comprehensive dynamic model for downdraft gasifier using heat and mass transport coupled with reaction kinetics," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(P1), pages 1230-1242.
    4. La Villetta, M. & Costa, M. & Massarotti, N., 2017. "Modelling approaches to biomass gasification: A review with emphasis on the stoichiometric method," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 71-88.
    5. Adeyemi, Idowu & Janajreh, Isam & Arink, Thomas & Ghenai, Chaouki, 2017. "Gasification behavior of coal and woody biomass: Validation and parametrical study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1007-1018.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Binns & Hafiz Muhammad Uzair Ayub, 2021. "Model Reduction Applied to Empirical Models for Biomass Gasification in Downdraft Gasifiers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Marco Mancini & Andreas Schwabauer, 2023. "On the Thermal Stability of a Counter-Current Fixed-Bed Gasifier," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-36, April.
    3. Michela Costa & Daniele Piazzullo, 2024. "The Effects of Syngas Composition on Engine Thermal Balance in a Biomass Powered CHP Unit: A 3D CFD Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-21, February.
    4. Giulio Allesina & Simone Pedrazzi, 2021. "Barriers to Success: A Technical Review on the Limits and Possible Future Roles of Small Scale Gasifiers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-23, October.
    5. Marcin Dębowski & Magda Dudek & Marcin Zieliński & Anna Nowicka & Joanna Kazimierowicz, 2021. "Microalgal Hydrogen Production in Relation to Other Biomass-Based Technologies—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-27, September.

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