(592e) Implementing Autothermal Reactions in a Novel Fluidized Bed Model for Fast Pyrolysis Applications

Recent developments have identified biomass as a viable, renewable alternative to petroleum-derived fuels and feedstocks through fast pyrolysis reactions. In particular, the implementation of autothermal operation has overcome the major limitation of supplying externally generated heat to the reactor itself. By coupling the pyrolysis reactions with combustion of char and other less valuable products, the biomass throughput a fluidized bed pyrolysis reactor has been shown to increase five times as compared to normal pyrolysis.

This work builds on prior work, developing a model for autothermal pyrolysis in a novel fluidized bed reactor. The rapid evolution of pyrolysis vapors prevents competition between pyrolysis and oxidation reactions, allowing straightforward introduction of oxidation reactions into the existing model. Preliminary results are in good agreement with the available experimental data.