IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v15y2022i20p7650-d944415.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Numerical Evaluation of Biochar Production Performance of Downdraft Gasifier by Thermodynamic Model

Author

Listed:
  • Donghoon Shin

    (School of Mechanical Engineering, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Korea)

  • Akhil Francis

    (St. Joseph’s College of Engineering and Technology Palai, Kerala 686579, India)

  • Purushothaman Vellayani Aravind

    (Process & Energy Department, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
    Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9701 BA Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Theo Woudstra

    (Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, 9701 BA Groningen, The Netherlands)

  • Wiebren de Jong

    (Process & Energy Department, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Dirk Roekaerts

    (Process & Energy Department, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands)

Abstract

A theoretical evaluation of the biochar production process using a biomass gasifier has been carried out herein. Being distinguished from the previous research trend examining the use of a biomass gasifier, which has been focused on energy efficiency, the present study tries to figure out the effect of biochar production rate on the overall process performance because biochar itself has now been given a spotlight as the main product. Biochar can be utilized for agricultural and industrial purposes, along with the benefit of climate change mitigation. A thermodynamic model based on chemical equilibrium analysis is utilized to demonstrate the effect of biochar production rate on the producer gas characteristics such as gas composition, LHV (lower heating value) and cold gas efficiency. Three gasifier models using chemical equilibrium model are reconstructed to simulate biochar-producing gasifiers, and seven kinds of biomass are considered as feed material. Depending on the assumptions applied to the models as well as the biomass types, the results of the simulation show a large variance, whereas the biochar yield rate increases. Through regression analysis with a generalized reduced gradient optimization method, simplified equations to estimate the cold gas efficiency (CGE) and LHV of producer gas of the biochar production process were derived as having six parameters of biomass LHV, fractions of ash, carbon and water, reduction zone temperature, and biochar yield rate. The correlation factors between the thermodynamic model and the regression model are 96.54% and 98.73% for the LHV of producer gas and CGE, respectively. These equations can supply the pre-estimation of the theoretical maximum performance of a planning biochar plant.

Suggested Citation

  • Donghoon Shin & Akhil Francis & Purushothaman Vellayani Aravind & Theo Woudstra & Wiebren de Jong & Dirk Roekaerts, 2022. "Numerical Evaluation of Biochar Production Performance of Downdraft Gasifier by Thermodynamic Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:20:p:7650-:d:944415
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/20/7650/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/20/7650/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Makwana, Jignesh P. & Pandey, Jay & Mishra, Gaurav, 2019. "Improving the properties of producer gas using high temperature gasification of rice husk in a pilot scale fluidized bed gasifier (FBG)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 943-951.
    2. Zhang, Zhikun & Zhu, Zongyuan & Shen, Boxiong & Liu, Lina, 2019. "Insights into biochar and hydrochar production and applications: A review," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 581-598.
    3. Safarian, Sahar & Unnþórsson, Rúnar & Richter, Christiaan, 2019. "A review of biomass gasification modelling," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 378-391.
    4. Mendiara, T. & García-Labiano, F. & Abad, A. & Gayán, P. & de Diego, L.F. & Izquierdo, M.T. & Adánez, J., 2018. "Negative CO2 emissions through the use of biofuels in chemical looping technology: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 232(C), pages 657-684.
    5. Bhoi, Prakashbhai R. & Huhnke, Raymond L. & Kumar, Ajay & Thapa, Sunil & Indrawan, Natarianto, 2018. "Scale-up of a downdraft gasifier system for commercial scale mobile power generation," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 25-33.
    6. Motta, Ingrid Lopes & Miranda, Nahieh Toscano & Maciel Filho, Rubens & Wolf Maciel, Maria Regina, 2018. "Biomass gasification in fluidized beds: A review of biomass moisture content and operating pressure effects," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 998-1023.
    7. Li, Lanyu & Yao, Zhiyi & You, Siming & Wang, Chi-Hwa & Chong, Clive & Wang, Xiaonan, 2019. "Optimal design of negative emission hybrid renewable energy systems with biochar production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 243(C), pages 233-249.
    8. Volperts, Aleksandrs & Plavniece, Ance & Dobele, Galina & Zhurinsh, Aivars & Kruusenberg, Ivar & Kaare, Kätlin & Locs, Janis & Tamasauskaite-Tamasiunaite, Loreta & Norkus, Eugenijus, 2019. "Biomass based activated carbons for fuel cells," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 40-45.
    9. Niu, Yanqing & Lv, Yuan & Lei, Yu & Liu, Siqi & Liang, Yang & Wang, Denghui & Hui, Shi'en, 2019. "Biomass torrefaction: properties, applications, challenges, and economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    10. Situmorang, Yohanes Andre & Zhao, Zhongkai & Yoshida, Akihiro & Abudula, Abuliti & Guan, Guoqing, 2020. "Small-scale biomass gasification systems for power generation (<200 kW class): A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Reyes, Y.A. & Pérez, M. & Barrera, E.L. & Martínez, Y. & Cheng, K.K., 2022. "Thermochemical conversion processes of Dichrostachys cinerea as a biofuel: A review of the Cuban case," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    2. Wang, Linzheng & Zhang, Ruizhi & Deng, Ruiqu & Liu, Zeqing & Luo, Yonghao, 2023. "Comprehensive parametric study of fixed-bed co-gasification process through Multiple Thermally Thick Particle (MTTP) model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    3. Monteiro, Eliseu & Ramos, Ana & Rouboa, Abel, 2024. "Fundamental designs of gasification plants for combined heat and power," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    4. Pio, D.T. & Tarelho, L.A.C. & Pinto, P.C.R., 2020. "Gasification-based biorefinery integration in the pulp and paper industry: A critical review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    5. Umut Şen & Bruno Esteves & Helena Pereira, 2023. "Pyrolysis and Extraction of Bark in a Biorefineries Context: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-23, June.
    6. Pio, D.T. & Gomes, H.G.M.F. & Tarelho, L.A.C. & Vilas-Boas, A.C.M. & Matos, M.A.A. & Lemos, F.M.S., 2022. "Superheated steam injection as primary measure to improve producer gas quality from biomass air gasification in an autothermal pilot-scale gasifier," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C), pages 1223-1236.
    7. Joseph Oyekale & Mario Petrollese & Vittorio Tola & Giorgio Cau, 2020. "Impacts of Renewable Energy Resources on Effectiveness of Grid-Integrated Systems: Succinct Review of Current Challenges and Potential Solution Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-48, September.
    8. Liu, Tianyu & Wen, Chang & Li, Changkang & Yan, Kai & Li, Rui & Jing, Zhenqi & Zhang, Bohan & Ma, Jingjing, 2022. "Integrated water washing and carbonization pretreatment of typical herbaceous and woody biomass: Fuel properties, combustion behaviors, and techno-economic assessments," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 218-233.
    9. Shivangi Jha & Sonil Nanda & Bishnu Acharya & Ajay K. Dalai, 2022. "A Review of Thermochemical Conversion of Waste Biomass to Biofuels," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-23, August.
    10. Samadi, Seyed Hashem & Ghobadian, Barat & Nosrati, Mohsen, 2020. "Prediction and estimation of biomass energy from agricultural residues using air gasification technology in Iran," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 1077-1091.
    11. Porcu, Andrea & Xu, Yupeng & Mureddu, Mauro & Dessì, Federica & Shahnam, Mehrdad & Rogers, William A. & Sastri, Bhima S. & Pettinau, Alberto, 2021. "Experimental validation of a multiphase flow model of a lab-scale fluidized-bed gasification unit," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 293(C).
    12. Xu, Wenwu & Zhang, Jifu & Wu, Qiming & Wang, Yangyang & Zhao, Wenxuan & Zhu, Zhaoyou & Wang, Yinglong & Cui, Peizhe, 2024. "Energy, exergy and economic (3E) analyses of a novel DME-power polygeneration system with CO2 capture based on biomass gasification," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 374(C).
    13. Zhuang, Rui & Wang, Xiaonan & Guo, Miao & Zhao, Yingru & El-Farra, Nael H. & Palazoglu, Ahmet, 2020. "Waste-to-hydrogen: Recycling HCl to produce H2 and Cl2," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    14. Ying, Zhi & Geng, Zhen & Zheng, Xiaoyuan & Dou, Binlin & Cui, Guomin, 2022. "Improving water electrolysis assisted by anodic biochar oxidation for clean hydrogen production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PB).
    15. Lv, Xuefei & Lv, Ying & Zhu, Yiping, 2023. "Multi-variable study and MOPSO-based multi-objective optimization of a novel cogeneration plant using biomass fuel and geothermal energy: A complementary hybrid design," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    16. Bartocci, Pietro & Abad, Alberto & Mattisson, Tobias & Cabello, Arturo & Loscertales, Margarita de las Obras & Negredo, Teresa Mendiara & Zampilli, Mauro & Taiana, Andrea & Serra, Angela & Arauzo, Inm, 2022. "Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) developed by coupling a Pressurised Chemical Looping combustor with a turbo expander: How to optimize plant efficiency," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    17. Buentello-Montoya, D.A. & Duarte-Ruiz, C.A. & Maldonado-Escalante, J.F., 2023. "Co-gasification of waste PET, PP and biomass for energy recovery: A thermodynamic model to assess the produced syngas quality," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    18. Kong, Karen Gah Hie & How, Bing Shen & Lim, Juin Yau & Leong, Wei Dong & Teng, Sin Yong & Ng, Wendy Pei Qin & Moser, Irene & Sunarso, Jaka, 2022. "Shaving electric bills with renewables? A multi-period pinch-based methodology for energy planning," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PD).
    19. Ferraz de Campos, Victor Arruda & Silva, Valter Bruno & Cardoso, João Sousa & Brito, Paulo S. & Tuna, Celso Eduardo & Silveira, José Luz, 2021. "A review of waste management in Brazil and Portugal: Waste-to-energy as pathway for sustainable development," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 802-820.
    20. Hatem Abushammala & Muhammad Adil Masood & Salma Taqi Ghulam & Jia Mao, 2023. "On the Conversion of Paper Waste and Rejects into High-Value Materials and Energy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:20:p:7650-:d:944415. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.